From 0 Stars to NBA Star
By Robert Rangel
Credit:https://clutchpoints.com/grizzlies-news-murray-state-to-retire-ja-morants-no-12/
A bag of Doritos and a can of soda. That is how Temetrius "Ja" Morant's legacy began.
It was July of 2016 when James Kane, Murray State assistant coach at the time, had traveled seven hours to Spartanburg Day School in upstate South Carolina. He was there to check out an AAU combine and watch over Murray State's top prospect, Tevin Brown from Alabama. When he arrived at his destination, Kane was craving a snack. He stood in line at a concession stand to fulfill his cravings. While ordering, he heard a basketball being dribbled in the auxiliary gym. He decided to go take a peek, and saw Ja Morant playing a 3-3 pickup game.
Ja Morant was unknown at the time. The 6-foot-3 guard from Dalzell, South Carolina, was heading into his senior season. Despite averaging 27 points, eight rebounds, and eight assist per game, Morant was considered a zero star prospect in every major recruiting outlet. He had no offers going into his senior season. However, the curiosity of Kane led to him receiving a full ride to Murray State. Morant would finish his high school career with 1,679 points, making him his high schools all time leading scorer.
Morant started all 32 games for Murray State during his freshman year. He averaged 12.7 points on 46 percent shooting from the field. His 6.2 assist per game is the highest average in Murray State history since Chad Townsend averaged 7.1 assist in 1996-97. Morant was also one of two players to record 400 points, 200 rebounds, and 200 assists in the NCAA Div-1 that season. He led Murray State to a 26-6 record and a trip to the NCAA March Madness tournament. Morant's freshman year was great. However, his sophomore year was something special.
During Morant's sophomore season at Murray State, he averaged 24.5 points and 10 assist per game. In fact, Morant became the only player in NCAA history to average 20/10 per game since the NCAA began to record assist in 1984. Morant finished with 331 assist during this season, which is sixth all-time in NCAA single season history. Morant won eight All-American Honors awards. He was also a finalist for the Oscar Robertson Trophy and the Naismith Trophy, and one of 15 finalists for the Wooden Award; each award is given to the National Player of the Year. He led Murray State to a 28-5 record and a trip to the NCAA March Madness tournament again. His first round game against Marquette is one of the greatest individual performances in March Madness history. He recorded 17 points, 16 assist, and 11 rebounds. He has one of only nine triple-doubles in NCAA tournament history. His 16 assist is also the second most in NCAA tournament game history. Murray State would lose the following round to Florida State 62-90. However, the game against Marquette gave Morant the national exposure the college star deserved.
Following his stellar performance against Marquette, Morant said "If (people) honestly don't know me by now," Morant said with a smile after the game, "I don't know what to say." Morant became the talk of the sports world afterwards. Yahoo Sports columnist Dan Wetzel tweeted after the game "Considering how important point guard is in current NBA can we get a Morant should be No. 1 pick debate going? Or, nah? Kid is ridiculous." Seth Davis, CBS College Basketball reporter, also tweeted "For those of you watching Ja Morant for the first time ... congrats. Yes he really is that good." Going into the 2019 NBA Draft, Morant was thought of to be a top three pick. He received some high praise from Fox Sports analyst Shannon Sharpe. Sharpe stated "Ja Morant reminds me of a young Derrick Rose.. he's special." Indeed Morant is special. The unranked kid from Dalzell, South Carolina was drafted number two overall by the Memphis Grizzlies in the 2019 NBA Draft.
Credit:https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/draft/2019/06/20/no-2-pick-ja-morant-memphis-grizzlies-pays-tribute-cousin/1519838001/
Morant's rookie season has been remarkable. He is averaging 17.6 points while shooting 49.3 percent from the field. Along with his 17.6 points he is averaging 3.5 rebounds and 7.1 assist. He has lead the Memphis Grizzlies to 28-26 record thus far. The Grizzlies are a team that missed the playoffs last season with 33-49 record. However, with the addition of Morant, they are now fighting for a playoff spot, ranked 8th in the Western Conference. Morant is currently the front runner for Rookie of the Year. Zion Williamson is the only other rookie in the conversation for the award.
Morant's season has been full of highlight plays. From catching alley-oops to hitting game winners, Morant's upside is tremendous. He will only continue to get better as his career progresses. With half of the NBA season done, the Grizzlies have been the surprise team in the NBA. If Morant can continue to produce and play at a high level, the Grizzlies have a great chance at making the playoffs. But, nothing in the NBA is ever guaranteed. However, there is one thing that is for certain; the Memphis Grizzlies have found their next superstar in Ja Morant.
Credit:https://clutchpoints.com/grizzlies-news-murray-state-to-retire-ja-morants-no-12/
A bag of Doritos and a can of soda. That is how Temetrius "Ja" Morant's legacy began.
It was July of 2016 when James Kane, Murray State assistant coach at the time, had traveled seven hours to Spartanburg Day School in upstate South Carolina. He was there to check out an AAU combine and watch over Murray State's top prospect, Tevin Brown from Alabama. When he arrived at his destination, Kane was craving a snack. He stood in line at a concession stand to fulfill his cravings. While ordering, he heard a basketball being dribbled in the auxiliary gym. He decided to go take a peek, and saw Ja Morant playing a 3-3 pickup game.
Ja Morant was unknown at the time. The 6-foot-3 guard from Dalzell, South Carolina, was heading into his senior season. Despite averaging 27 points, eight rebounds, and eight assist per game, Morant was considered a zero star prospect in every major recruiting outlet. He had no offers going into his senior season. However, the curiosity of Kane led to him receiving a full ride to Murray State. Morant would finish his high school career with 1,679 points, making him his high schools all time leading scorer.
Morant started all 32 games for Murray State during his freshman year. He averaged 12.7 points on 46 percent shooting from the field. His 6.2 assist per game is the highest average in Murray State history since Chad Townsend averaged 7.1 assist in 1996-97. Morant was also one of two players to record 400 points, 200 rebounds, and 200 assists in the NCAA Div-1 that season. He led Murray State to a 26-6 record and a trip to the NCAA March Madness tournament. Morant's freshman year was great. However, his sophomore year was something special.
During Morant's sophomore season at Murray State, he averaged 24.5 points and 10 assist per game. In fact, Morant became the only player in NCAA history to average 20/10 per game since the NCAA began to record assist in 1984. Morant finished with 331 assist during this season, which is sixth all-time in NCAA single season history. Morant won eight All-American Honors awards. He was also a finalist for the Oscar Robertson Trophy and the Naismith Trophy, and one of 15 finalists for the Wooden Award; each award is given to the National Player of the Year. He led Murray State to a 28-5 record and a trip to the NCAA March Madness tournament again. His first round game against Marquette is one of the greatest individual performances in March Madness history. He recorded 17 points, 16 assist, and 11 rebounds. He has one of only nine triple-doubles in NCAA tournament history. His 16 assist is also the second most in NCAA tournament game history. Murray State would lose the following round to Florida State 62-90. However, the game against Marquette gave Morant the national exposure the college star deserved.
Following his stellar performance against Marquette, Morant said "If (people) honestly don't know me by now," Morant said with a smile after the game, "I don't know what to say." Morant became the talk of the sports world afterwards. Yahoo Sports columnist Dan Wetzel tweeted after the game "Considering how important point guard is in current NBA can we get a Morant should be No. 1 pick debate going? Or, nah? Kid is ridiculous." Seth Davis, CBS College Basketball reporter, also tweeted "For those of you watching Ja Morant for the first time ... congrats. Yes he really is that good." Going into the 2019 NBA Draft, Morant was thought of to be a top three pick. He received some high praise from Fox Sports analyst Shannon Sharpe. Sharpe stated "Ja Morant reminds me of a young Derrick Rose.. he's special." Indeed Morant is special. The unranked kid from Dalzell, South Carolina was drafted number two overall by the Memphis Grizzlies in the 2019 NBA Draft.
Credit:https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/draft/2019/06/20/no-2-pick-ja-morant-memphis-grizzlies-pays-tribute-cousin/1519838001/
Morant's rookie season has been remarkable. He is averaging 17.6 points while shooting 49.3 percent from the field. Along with his 17.6 points he is averaging 3.5 rebounds and 7.1 assist. He has lead the Memphis Grizzlies to 28-26 record thus far. The Grizzlies are a team that missed the playoffs last season with 33-49 record. However, with the addition of Morant, they are now fighting for a playoff spot, ranked 8th in the Western Conference. Morant is currently the front runner for Rookie of the Year. Zion Williamson is the only other rookie in the conversation for the award.
Morant's season has been full of highlight plays. From catching alley-oops to hitting game winners, Morant's upside is tremendous. He will only continue to get better as his career progresses. With half of the NBA season done, the Grizzlies have been the surprise team in the NBA. If Morant can continue to produce and play at a high level, the Grizzlies have a great chance at making the playoffs. But, nothing in the NBA is ever guaranteed. However, there is one thing that is for certain; the Memphis Grizzlies have found their next superstar in Ja Morant.
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