The Memphis Grizzlies selected Murray State point guard Ja Morant with the No. 2 pick in the 2019 NBA Draft.
Morant wasn't initially considered a top-100 prospect nor was he heavily recruited out of high school, but he exploded onto the scene in his sophomore season with the mid-major Racers. He averaged 24.5 points per game while leading NCAA Division I basketball in assists, posting multiple highlight reel dunks and dimes along the way.
His athleticism at the point has drawn comparisons to NBA All-Stars such as John Wall and Russell Westbrook, although he enters the league as a more promising perimeter shooter than the latter.
Bio
NBA position: PG
School: Murray State
College experience: Sophomore
Height: 6-foot-3Weight: 175 lbs
Wingspan: 6-foot-7
Max vertical: N/A
Strengths
- Explosive athlete who possesses another gear; has an elite first step, and can leap to rim in a flash.
- Exceptional distributor. Has tremendous court vision combined with an ability to find teammates with sleight-of-hand, one-handed, and rocket passes from anywhere on floor.
- Solid 3-point shooter; hit on 36.3 percent of nearly five attempts per game last season. Easily gains separation and already has a James Harden-esque step-back in his arsenal.
Weaknesses
- While a capable on-ball defender, his slender frame could become a liability in switch-happy NBA.
- Has a low release point on his shot, potentially concerning in a league where defenders are bigger and faster than in Ohio Valley Conference.
