Murray State Basketball: 2019 NBA Draft profile of point guard Ja Morant
By Josh Stevens
A year ago we would hear the name Ja Morant and most would question who he is. But, the super sophomore has turned himself into one of the most interesting prospects in recent history as we enter the NBA Draft.
Ja Morant went to a small school in Murray State, but the Racers have had recent success in producing NBA level talent at the guard positions in Isaiah Canaan and Cameron Payne. Morant however is nothing like either of those two. Morant is a talent that does not come around all that often, and if it were not for Zion Williamson, Morant would be the first pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. It is not every day you see a player just flip on a switch and go from relatively unknown to one of the most electrifying players regardless of level in basketball right now.
It is very rare that you find a player in the college level be able to put up a stat line with double-digit assists, and Morant averaged that for this season. His season totals were 24.5 points 5.7 rebounds and 10 assists a game. Morant went from a small school kid to an All-American in a single year. Against Marquette in the NCAA he posted a triple-double for the first time since Draymond Green did it in 2011.
As the NBA Draft approaches, Morant is projected to be a top-3 pick, alongside both Williamson and RJ Barrett. In a modern-day NBA filled with athletically gifted scorers and facilitators, the former Murray State Basketball star is set to take his place among the best of them.
Even with the many strongpoints, Morant does have some weaknesses about him that are all too similar to another great point guard in the NBA, what are they, and who is that point guard? Find out in this in-depth profile.