Memphis Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant has won the 2019-20 NBA Rookie of the Year Award, per Shams Charania of The Athletic.

The 21-year-old was essentially the wire-to-wire favorite to win the award with New Orleans Pelicans rookie Zion Williamson missing most of the regular season.

But merely pointing out Williamson's absence discredits what Morant did in Memphis.

The former Murray State star was exceptional for the Grizzlies, averaging 17.8 points, 7.3 assists and 3.9 rebounds while shooting 47.7 percent from the floor and 33.5 percent from deep. More importantly, Morant transformed the franchise into a winner.

Memphis went 33-49 during the 2018-19 season. But Morant led the team to 34 wins despite playing nine fewer games. That even includes a horrendous 2-7 stretch in Orlando that saw the Grizzlies lose their grip on the eighth seed in the Western Conference.

Speaking of that slide, it is hard to place blame on Morant. Although Ja had a few clunkers in terms of shooting percentages, he was Memphis' most adept shot creator and playmaker. Morant finished with a triple-double and was +15 in the play-in loss to the Portland Trail Blazers despite shooting 5-for-17 from the field.

It would seem Rookie of the Year is only the tip of the iceberg for Ja Morant, who more than lived up to his billing as the No. 2 pick.

Given his combination of athleticism and length as well as his uncanny handle and court vision, it is certainly possible Ja Morant could be regarded as the best point guard in the NBA in the near future.

Ja Morant will take the accolades, for now, but brighter things would seem to be on the horizon.

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