Busting Brackets
Fansided

NCAA Basketball: Mid-majors come away big winners in 2019 NBA Draft

By Logan Butts

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MAY 16: Ja Morant speaks with the media during Day One of the NBA Draft Combine at Quest MultiSport Complex on May 16, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MAY 16: Ja Morant speaks with the media during Day One of the NBA Draft Combine at Quest MultiSport Complex on May 16, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 20: Ja Morant reacts after being drafted with the second overall pick by the Memphis Grizzlies during the 2019 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 20, 2019 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Lawrie/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 20: Ja Morant reacts after being drafted with the second overall pick by the Memphis Grizzlies during the 2019 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 20, 2019 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Lawrie/Getty Images) /

The Headliner – Ja Morant (Murray State/Memphis Grizzlies)

By now, you’ve probably heard the Ja Morant origin story dozens of times. That doesn’t make it any less unbelievable that this kid who was essentially accidentally discovered by the Murray State staff, who turned in a good-but-not-otherwordly freshman season, ended up as the number two overall pick.

It was a foregone conclusion that Morant would go number two over all to the Memphis Grizzlies. With that selection, Morant is looking to improve upon two recent draft disasters – the only other mid-major player selected in the top two this decade was Anthony Bennett of UNLV, the first overall pick in 2013. The last number two selection for Memphis was UConn’s Hasheem Thabeet in 2009.

By all accounts, Morant is a much safer choice than either of those bewildering picks were.

Memphis gets its point guard of the future just days after trading away their former franchise point guard Mike Conley. Morant projects to be a snug fit alongside the other young Memphis cornerstone, Jaren Jackson Jr.

With their other first-round selection (more on that later) and their undrafted signings, the Grizzlies may very well be the go-to NBA team for mid-major fans across the country after tonight.

Zion Williamson may be the unprecedented prospect, but Morant has a pretty high ceiling himself.

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