5) Ja Morant, PG, Murray State
Stats: 24.0 ppg, 10.5 apg, 5.7 rpg, 1.9 spg
LW: 6
There’s a hard cap on Morant’s Player of the Year candidacy because of where he plays and the lack of opportunities for moments in big games.
That said, Morant is really in the race thanks to the moments he has been able to create for himself on social media.
Nationally, Morant has been the second most-talked about player behind only Zion Williamson and there’s substance to the hype. The 6-3 guard might not replicate Trae Young’s feat of leading the country in both points and assists, but he is on pace to become the first player ever to average over 20 points and 10 assists per game for an entire season.
Murray State is not a bad team, either. They’re projected to win the Ohio Valley and be a No. 13 seed in the NCAA Tournament according to Lukas Harkins, our bracketologist. Should they make the tournament, don’t count out this group from winning a game or two.