The Memphis Grizzlies have selected Murray State point guard Ja Morant with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft.
Morant, a consensus First Team All-American as a sophomore, averaged 24.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, an NCAA-leading 10.0 assists, and 1.8 steals per game in 2018-19. He shot 49.9 percent from the field and a much-improved 36.3 percent from beyond the arc on nearly five attempts per game after struggling as a three-point shooter during his freshman season.
Morant is the rare point guard prospect who combines elite-level vision and passing flair with tremendous athleticism, positional length, and a developing off-dribble jumper. He didn’t consistently engage defensively in college despite gaudy steal numbers, and his sky-high turnover rate is cause for concern.
For a player who who gets wherever he wants with the ball in his hands, Morant is a surprisingly average finisher in the paint, too, lacking comfort with his left hand and routinely forcing his way to the rim when floaters would be a better option.
But all of Morant's weaknesses, none of which are impossible to overcome, come in the context of his incredible improvement over the past two years. He was unranked as a high school basketball recruit, and Murray State only became interested in him after traveling to South Carolina to scout another player.
Considering the strides he's taken of late combined with his rare natural gifts, it shouldn't shock anyone if the 19 year old eventually develops into an All-Star at the next level.
Morant enters an ideal situation with the Grizzlies, too, beginning his NBA career for a team in the early stages of rebuilding.
Follow Us
Subscribe