"Glad I'm not his parent": Former President Barack Obama expresses concern over Ja Morant's high-flying dunks

Ja Morant and the Memphis Grizzlies are set to kick off their 2024-25 season campaign with a matchup versus the Utah Jazz on Wednesday night.

Morant's availability was in question coming into gameday with an ankle injury, but the star point guard was designated as available for the season opener.

Morant is one of the great high-flyers in the NBA, rising up for highlight dunks seemingly every game. Former President Barack Obama discussed Ja Morant's exciting playstyle in an appearance on the new podcast "The Young Man and The Three," on Tuesday afternoon.

"I'm excited to see what Memphis does this year," Obama said (25:55 mark). "Those guys got banged up so bad, but, (Ja Morant) can do some things on that court. I'm glad I'm not his parent, because every time he goes up for one of those dunks you're worried."

Ja Morant returns for Grizzlies ahead of season opener

Ja Morant will take the court for the first time this season in Memphis' season opener versus Utah. Morant suited up in just nine games for the Grizzlies last season, dealing with a shoulder injury for much of last season.

In nine games, Morant averaged 25.1 points, 8.1 assists, and 5.6 rebounds, shooting 47.1%. He led the Grizzlies to a 6-3 record in his nine games, the Grizzlies' best nine-game stretch of any point last season.

Expectations are high for Memphis as they return their star point guard along with several key pieces, looking to re-establish themselves as one of the top teams in the Western Conference. It's easy to forget about the Grizzlies in a loaded West, but as recently as the 2022-23 season, they were a 50-win team and the second seed in the conference.

The Grizzlies are 2.5-point favorites over the Jazz in their season opener despite traveling to Utah. Entering the season, Memphis is tied for the 11th-best title odds in the NBA, and the seventh-best odds in the Western Conference (+4000).

The Grizzlies added Zach Edey to their core of Morant, Jarren Jackson Jr., and Desmond Bane, bolstering their frontcourt.