Gant was born in Savannah, Georgia and grew up in the nearby city of Springfield, where he attended Effingham County High School[citation needed].

Gant averaged 17.9 points, 9.3 rebounds and 4.2 blocks per game in his junior season and was named the Region 3-5A and Georgia Class 5A Player of the Year as the Rebels reached the GHSA state semifinals.

He committed to played college basketball at Missouri going into his senior year over offers from Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Louisville, and Indiana.

[4] He missed nine games due to a suspension after he and fellow freshman Tiger D'Angelo Allen were arrested on suspicion of third-degree assault.

[6] Following the season, Gant announced that he would be leaving the program in order to move closer to home after his mother was diagnosed with an undisclosed health issue.