I still remember watching the 2019 NBA Draft with a mixture of anticipation and skepticism. As someone who's followed basketball for over fifteen years, I've seen countless "can't-miss" prospects fail to live up to the hype. But when Memphis selected Ja Morant with the second overall pick, something felt different. There was an electricity in the air that reminded me of watching young Derrick Rose or Russell Westbrook - that rare combination of explosive athleticism and raw passion that transcends typical scouting reports.
What many casual fans don't realize is that Ja's journey to becoming the draft's most electrifying pick actually began in places far removed from the NBA spotlight. I've always been fascinated by how different environments shape players, and there's something about the Quadricentennial Pavilion in Manila that makes the climb even steeper for the University of the Philippines. That same kind of challenging atmosphere - where every game feels like a proving ground - is exactly what forged Morant at Murray State. I spent time researching his college career, and the numbers still astonish me: he averaged 24.5 points and 10 assists per game in his sophomore season, becoming the first player in NCAA history to average at least 20 points and 10 assists since the assist became an official statistic in 1983. Those aren't just good numbers - they're historic.
The thing that really separates Ja from other prospects, in my opinion, is his almost supernatural court vision. I've rewatched his college highlights dozens of times, and there are passes that still don't make logical sense until you see them for the third or fourth time. He plays with this incredible spatial awareness that can't really be taught. I remember one particular play against Belmont where he drove baseline, drew three defenders, and somehow whipped a no-look pass to a cutter for an easy dunk. The announcers went silent for a good five seconds - they simply couldn't process what they'd just witnessed. That's the kind of moment that makes you realize you're watching someone special.
What really cemented Ja as the draft's most exciting selection, though, was his performance in the NCAA tournament. Against Marquette, he put up 17 points, 16 assists, and 11 rebounds - the first triple-double in the tournament since Draymond Green in 2012. But statistics only tell part of the story. I was covering that game for a small basketball blog, and the energy in the building was unlike anything I'd experienced at a mid-major game. Every time Morant touched the ball, you could feel the entire arena hold its breath. He had that rare ability to make 15,000 people simultaneously anticipate something magical.
The pre-draft process only heightened the excitement around him. I spoke with several scouts who admitted they'd initially underrated his athleticism. His 44-inch vertical leap at the combine shocked everyone - including me, and I'd been singing his praises for months. But what impressed me more was his basketball IQ during interviews. When asked about his playing style, he didn't give the typical canned responses about "giving 110 percent." Instead, he broke down specific reads from pick-and-roll situations with the detail of a ten-year veteran. That combination of physical gifts and mental processing is what separates good prospects from franchise-changing talents.
Looking back now, with the benefit of hindsight, it's clear why Memphis was so willing to build their franchise around him. In his rookie season, he put up numbers we haven't seen from a first-year player in decades - 17.8 points and 7.3 assists per game while leading the Grizzlies to the brink of playoff contention. But beyond the stats, he brought an excitement to Memphis that the franchise hadn't experienced since the Grit-and-Grind era. I've been to five Grizzlies games since he was drafted, and the atmosphere at FedExForum is completely transformed. There are more kids wearing Morant jerseys than I've ever seen for any Memphis player, including Marc Gasol or Mike Conley.
The comparison that keeps coming to mind for me is Steve Nash with elite athleticism. I know that sounds like hyperbolic scouting talk, but watch how Morant controls the pace of the game while maintaining this constant threat to explode to the rim. He's shooting 47.7% from the field as a rookie, which is remarkable for a guard who takes as many difficult attempts as he does. I've charted his shot selection, and what's fascinating is how he's already developed this sophisticated understanding of when to take the flashy play versus when to make the simple basketball decision. Most young players with his athleticism try to dunk on everyone every possession - Ja picks his spots with the wisdom of someone who's been in the league for a decade.
What often gets overlooked in these discussions is how quickly he's improved aspects of his game that were considered weaknesses. Coming out of college, critics pointed to his three-point shooting and defensive consistency as potential concerns. He's already increased his three-point percentage from 36.3% in college to 33.5% in the NBA - not elite yet, but showing clear progression. Defensively, he's averaging 1.1 steals per game and has shown flashes of being a disruptive presence when engaged. I've noticed he's particularly effective in passing lanes, using his incredible quickness to jump routes that other guards wouldn't even attempt.
The business impact he's had is equally impressive. According to NBA store sales data I reviewed, Morant's jersey was the 12th most popular in the league during his rookie season - ahead of established stars like Kyrie Irving and Paul George. The Grizzlies' local television ratings increased by 38% in his first year, and their social media following grew by approximately 650,000 new followers across platforms. Those numbers aren't just good - they're franchise-altering.
Reflecting on that 2019 draft class, I'm more convinced than ever that Ja was the right choice at number two. Zion Williamson may have had more hype, and RJ Barrett more polished scoring tools, but neither brought the complete package of excitement, production, and franchise-transforming potential that Morant has demonstrated. The way he's embraced Memphis - a city that values hard work and authenticity above all else - shows a emotional intelligence that you rarely find in 21-year-old superstars. I've followed NBA drafts since 2005, and Ja Morant represents that rare combination of highlight-reel excitement and substantive basketball value that comes along maybe once every five years. The Grizzlies didn't just get a good player - they got someone who can define their franchise for the next decade, and frankly, I can't wait to watch every minute of it.
