Memphis Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant is one of the most exciting young players in the NBA. Even though he has only finished a single season in the league, he has caught the eyes of basketball fans around the world. It started during his time at Murray State, a relatively small basketball program.
Just a few years ago, Morant was completely unknown. He wasn’t just an underrated prospect, he was completely unranked in high school. His only offer, which came from Murray State, came while a coach was scouting another player. He happened to notice Ja and instantly offered him.
Out of nowhere, Morant was thrust onto the scene. He played two seasons at Murray State, doubling his production in almost every statistical category by his second season. By the time he declared for the draft, he was already the first player in NCAA history to average 20 points and 10 assists, and one of only nine players to record a triple-double in the NCAA Tournament.
Ja Morant’s success has translated to the NBA level with the Memphis Grizzlies
This would lead him to be drafted second overall by your very own Memphis Grizzlies. Most saw him being a great NBA player, but very few people expected him to become a star for the Grizzlies this fast.
He would go on to win NBA Rookie of the Year, taking no time to settle into the highest level of competitive basketball in the world. He did this by leading rookies in scoring and averaging 7.1 assists per game, a rookie high. He instantly became the best player on his team and showed that he could be a leader.
But despite his strong play, he’d miss out on the NBA All-Star game during his sophomore season. He didn’t play poorly, but missed time doomed his chances at the end of the day. He’ll look to stay healthy and play his best basketball yet next year in an attempt to make his first appearance as an All-Star.
But as an improving player for a fringe-playoff team, where does this put Morant in comparison to other NBA stars?