Ja Morant NBA Draft 2019 Journey: From College Star to Memphis Grizzlies Phenom
I still remember watching Ja Morant during the 2019 NBA Draft process with this strange mix of excitement and skepticism. Having followed basketball prospects for over a decade, I've seen plenty of hyped-up players who ultimately fizzled out, but there was something different about this kid from Murray State. His journey from relatively unknown college player to Memphis Grizzlies franchise cornerstone happened so rapidly that it almost felt like watching one of those incredible highlight reels he's become famous for creating.
When I first saw Morant play during his sophomore season at Murray State, what struck me most wasn't just his athleticism - though his 36-inch vertical leap certainly turned heads - but his court vision. The way he could thread passes through impossible angles reminded me of watching young Steve Nash, except with this explosive athletic package that made every fast break must-see television. During that final college season, he averaged what, 24.5 points and 10 assists per game? Those numbers still blow my mind when I think about them. He became the first player in NCAA history to average at least 20 points and 10 assists per game since the assist became an official statistic back in 1983. That's not just impressive - that's historic.
What's interesting about Morant's pre-draft journey is how it contrasts with the experience described in that piece about the Quadricentennial Pavilion in Manila making things tougher for University of the Philippines players. See, Morant had the opposite situation - he played at Murray State, where the smaller conference and lesser spotlight actually worked in his favor in some ways. Instead of facing constant media scrutiny at a basketball powerhouse like Duke or Kentucky, he could develop his game somewhat under the radar, though honestly, by his sophomore year, there was nothing "under the radar" about his performances anymore. I remember thinking during March Madness that year that he was playing with this joyful freedom you rarely see in players who know NBA scouts are watching their every move.
The draft combine was where Morant really sealed his top-three pick status. His measurements came in better than expected - 6'3" with a 6'7" wingspan - and his athletic testing numbers were off the charts. But what really impressed me was his interview performance. You could tell this wasn't just another athlete saying the right things; he had genuine basketball IQ and understood the game on a strategic level that separated him from other prospects. When Memphis ultimately selected him with the second overall pick behind Zion Williamson, I thought to myself that this might actually work out better for him than going first overall would have. The pressure in New Orleans with Zion would have been immense, whereas Memphis offered this perfect blend of opportunity and manageable expectations.
Morant's transition to the NBA was smoother than even I anticipated, and I was already pretty high on him. He put up 17.6 points and 6.9 assists in his first 10 games, quickly establishing himself as the frontrunner for Rookie of the Year. What impressed me most wasn't the stats though - it was how he elevated his teammates. You could see Jaren Jackson Jr.'s game improving immediately with Morant feeding him the ball in optimal positions. The Grizzlies went from lottery team to playoff contender almost overnight, finishing the 2019-2020 season with a 34-39 record in the pandemic-shortened season, a significant improvement from their 33-49 record the previous year.
Looking back now, three seasons into his career, Morant has exceeded even the most optimistic projections. His MVP-caliber 2021-2022 season where he averaged 27.4 points and 6.7 assists while leading Memphis to the second seed in the Western Conference was something special to watch. The way he attacks the rim with this fearless abandon reminds me of a young Derrick Rose, but with better playmaking instincts. I've had arguments with friends about whether he's already a top-10 player in the league, and my answer is absolutely yes. When you consider his impact on winning combined with his marketability and highlight-reel plays, he's become one of the most valuable assets in the entire NBA.
The Ja Morant draft story isn't just about a talented player finding success - it's about the scouting process evolving to recognize talent beyond the traditional power conferences. If this same player had come through Duke or North Carolina, he might have been the consensus number one pick from day one. Instead, his journey through Murray State and subsequent explosion onto the NBA scene represents this new era where talent can emerge from anywhere. As someone who's followed the draft for years, I think Morant's success has permanently changed how teams evaluate prospects from mid-major programs. The Memphis Grizzlies took what many considered a risk at number two overall, and it's paid off in ways nobody could have imagined during that 2019 NBA Draft process.
