Jelanie Morgan Aims for Jamaica’s National Basketball Team

July 16, 2025 | Jamaica Live | Sports & Culture

Jelanie Morgan, son of Grammy-winning reggae icon Gramps Morgan of the legendary Morgan Heritage, is charting his own course—not on the musical stage, but on the basketball court. The 6-foot-4 shooting guard has set his sights on making Jamaica’s National Basketball Team, a dream he’s pursued with relentless determination and cultural pride.

Currently a junior at Lesley University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Jelanie travelled to Kingston to participate in two intensive days of training and evaluation with the national squad at Jamaica’s National Stadium on July 5 and 6. The sessions included shooting drills, scrimmages, and player assessments aimed at identifying new talent to strengthen the country’s representation in international competitions.

“Being able to try out for the national team for a chance to represent my country is a dream come true for me,” Jelanie shared with the Jamaica Observer. “I have been working on it for a while now, and to see it come together is surreal.”

But Jelanie’s aspirations go beyond athletic achievement. He’s deeply committed to using basketball as a platform to promote Jamaican culture and inspire the next generation of athletes. Like his musical family who carried Jamaica’s rhythm to global stages, Jelanie hopes to carry the flag through sport—showing that Jamaicans can compete and thrive in arenas beyond track and reggae.

“I want to be an ambassador, not just a player,” Jelanie said. “Basketball gives us another way to tell our stories, to show our pride, and to push boundaries.”

Off the court, Jelanie is equally dedicated to community development. He frequently mentors young players and emphasizes the value of education, discipline, and cultural identity. For him, sports is a tool—not just for personal success, but for national upliftment.

As Jamaican basketball continues to grow in stature and reach, athletes like Jelanie Morgan represent a new wave of homegrown and diaspora talent eager to put Jamaica on the global basketball map. And just like his father’s lyrics echo through generations, Jelanie hopes his journey will inspire future ballers to dream big, work hard, and carry Jamaica’s legacy with pride.

#JamaicaLive | Where Culture Meets the Court
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