Grizzlies star Ja Morant and his team are all about supporting the next generation of youth -- as long as they are rooting for Memphis.
In Tuesday's game against the Golden State Warriors, Morant made headlines for his late-game celebration -- or lack thereof -- involving a young Warriors fan.
After scoring a bucket in the final minute of Memphis' 116-108 win over Golden State that included an and-1 foul, he declined to dap up the outstretched hand of the onlooker, staring him down instead.
Morant commented on the interaction during a news conference after the game, joking, "He was disrespectful with that jersey on," and offered to send the fan a Grizzlies jersey.
He also acknowledged the moment on social media.
sorry im just too 🔒 in ..
— Ja Morant (@JaMorant) January 12, 2022
on another level 😅 https://t.co/C2y21tIU4T
Heading into Thursday night's matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves, and with the Grizzlies racking up wins, young Memphis fans will have an opportunity to officially hop on the bandwagon.
The team posted on its Twitter account Wednesday saying it will allow children 12 or younger to trade in an opposing player's jersey for a Morant or Jaren Jackson Jr. replica. The swap also includes two tickets to the Grizzlies' game against the T-Wolves.
New Year, New Jerseys
— Memphis Grizzlies (@memgrizz) January 13, 2022
Tomorrow at 5pm, kids 12 and under can exchange any old opposing player NBA jersey for a new Ja Morant or Jaren Jackson Jr. replica jersey + two tickets to the game.
Full Details: https://t.co/BuEbOexfnh pic.twitter.com/uZvdOYMldb
The child left hanging by Morant Tuesday night was wearing a Stephen Curry jersey. One of the first children in line at the swap Thursday had another Curry jersey in hand, ready to exchange it for new Grizzlies threads. The jerseys of Allen Iverson, Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Zion Williamson and former Memphis point guard Mike Conley were among the others exchanged at the event.
Already a line outside FedExForum to exchange jerseys and get tickets.
— Drew Hill (@DrewHill_DM) January 13, 2022
And look who the first kid in line is trading in 😬 pic.twitter.com/LaSu2Dt41a
The promotion comes in the midst of a stretch in which the Grizzlies, led by Morant, have won their past 10 games. The third-year guard has averaged career highs in points, field goal percentage, 3-point percentage and rebounds this season. Morant is currently third among Western Conference backcourt players in All-Star voting, per NBA.com.
Morant's play this season -- along with rising stars in Jackson Jr., Dillon Brooks and Desmond Bane -- has the Grizzlies in third place in a competitive Western Conference with a 29-14 record.