Recruits weren’t knocking on Temetrius “Ja” Morant’s door back when he was All-State at Crestwood High School in Sumter South Carolina. With his 1,679 points and career-high with 56 points against Sumter High School, he went unranked by ESPN and received an offer from only one major division one school, South Carolina.
Murray State accidentally found the explosive player when assistant coach James Kane saw him playing three-on-three at a camp and two seasons later, Morant finally gets the shine he deserves.
From being unranked after high school to putting Murray State basketball program on the map, the 19-year old guard is now considered top prospect in the upcoming NBA draft.
“I think I’m ready,” Morant said at the Quest Multisport Complex in Chicago today, “something I’ve been training for all my life – one of my goals and now I’m in a position to accomplish that goal.”
Sometimes, top five players don’t participate in the NBA Combine but Morant wanted the “experience” and to give the NBA teams a real occurrence, no one in particular I might add.
“I really would be happy with any team. It’s just an honor to be able to play this game at the highest level just to be in the position I’m in now,” Morant said.
The New Orleans Pelicans, with a 6% chance, miraculously won the first pick in Tuesday’s NBA Lottery Draft. The Memphis Grizzlies got the second pick and reports claim they’re set on Morant.
“I haven’t heard it myself,” Morant said about the Memphis reports. He did however meet with the New York Knicks who have the third pick.
“Great meeting with the Knicks. We got to talk. I learned a lot about them, they learned a lot about me.”
Several teams will be meeting with Morant and he’s excited to bring his talents to whichever team decides to pick him. Besides him being a very good shooter and mastering at scoring on off-ball motion plays, he believes his best quality is his basketball IQ.
“{I’m a player} Who loves to get his teammates involved, feel like my IQ is the strongest part of my game. Being able to make plays for me and my teammates.”
Duke’s freshman Zion Williamson is considered the best player in this draft but others have said Morant. When asked, he showed appreciation and remained humble.
“I really don’t speak too much of myself. There’s a lot of talented guys in here but obviously to be talked about one of the top players in the draft is an honor.”
Last season, Morant averaged 24.5 points per game shooting at 49% in the field, 81% at the free throw line and led NCAA Division 1 with 10 assists per game.
Many teams need an explosive guard like Morant so it makes sense why the Grizzlies would take him at the number two spot. If not, Knicks may rethink picking Duke’s R.J Barrett.
The 2019 NBA Draft will be held at the Barclay Center in Brooklyn New York June 20.
Watch the interview at the NBA Combine on the next page.