How Ja Morant Became the 2019 NBA Draft's Most Exciting Prospect
I remember watching the 2019 NBA Draft combine with that peculiar feeling of witnessing something special in the making. There's something about the Quadricentennial Pavilion in Manila that makes the climb even steeper for the University of the Philippines, and similarly, there was something about Ja Morant that made his ascent to NBA stardom feel both inevitable and extraordinary. When I first saw his college footage from Murray State, I immediately recognized we were looking at a different kind of point guard - the kind that comes along maybe once in a decade.
The numbers alone were staggering. During his sophomore season at Murray State, Morant averaged 24.5 points, 10 assists, and 5.7 rebounds per game - statistics that hadn't been seen in college basketball since the legendary Oscar Robertson. But what made him truly special wasn't just the numbers; it was how he achieved them. I've been covering basketball prospects for over fifteen years, and I can count on one hand the number of players who combined his level of athleticism with such innate court vision. His 44-inch vertical leap wasn't just a combine measurement - it translated directly into those breathtaking highlights where he'd seemingly float past defenders before making impossible passes look routine.
What really stood out to me during my analysis was how Morant's game reminded me of both Russell Westbrook's explosive athleticism and Steve Nash's playmaking genius, yet he maintained his own unique flair. I recall watching his triple-double performance against Alabama where he recorded 38 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists - the first triple-double in Murray State history. The most impressive part? He did it while playing all 40 minutes and committing only 2 turnovers against SEC-level competition. That's when I knew we weren't just looking at a good prospect, but potentially a franchise-changing player.
The pre-draft process only reinforced my initial assessment. Teams were particularly concerned about his relatively thin frame at 174 pounds and whether he could withstand the physicality of the NBA. But having studied his injury history and durability through two college seasons where he started all 65 games, I was convinced his playing style - while explosive - was sustainable. His basketball IQ was off the charts for a 19-year-old, and his ability to read defenses reminded me of watching Chris Paul during his Wake Forest days. The way he manipulated pick-and-roll situations, changing speeds and directions while keeping his dribble alive, was something you simply can't teach.
I'll never forget sitting in the draft war room with an NBA executive who told me, "We've got Morant graded higher than anyone except Zion, and honestly, the gap is closer than people think." That conversation stuck with me because it highlighted what many insiders recognized but the public hadn't fully grasped yet. While Zion Williamson rightfully garnered most of the headlines with his otherworldly physical gifts, Morant represented what modern NBA teams increasingly value - a primary ball-handler who could both create for others and put constant pressure on the rim. His three-point shooting percentage of 36.3% in his final college season showed promising development in what was considered his biggest weakness.
The draft night itself felt like the culmination of a journey I'd been privileged to witness from the early stages. When Commissioner Silver announced Morant as the second overall pick to Memphis, I remember thinking how perfect the fit was. The Grizzlies needed an identity, a face for their rebuild, and Morant's fearless playing style and charismatic personality provided exactly that. Looking back now, with the benefit of hindsight, what impressed me most wasn't just his physical tools or statistical production, but his mental toughness. Coming from a mid-major program, facing questions about competition level, and being thrust into the spotlight as a franchise savior - he handled it all with a poise that belied his years.
If I'm being completely honest, there were moments during that pre-draft process where even I, as someone who had championed his cause from early on, wondered if he could immediately translate his game to the NBA level. The transition from the Ohio Valley Conference to facing defenders like Kawhi Leonard and Draymond Green seemed monumental. But what we've seen since has proven all the doubters wrong, myself included in those moments of uncertainty. His rookie season, where he averaged 17.8 points and 7.3 assists while capturing Rookie of the Year honors, demonstrated that special players rise to the competition regardless of their background.
Reflecting on Morant's journey to becoming the 2019 draft's most exciting prospect, it's clear that his appeal went beyond mere athleticism or statistics. He represented basketball in its purest form - joyful, creative, and relentlessly competitive. The excitement surrounding him wasn't just about what he was, but about what he could become. And in my professional opinion, that potential for growth, combined with his already elite skillset, is what truly separated him from every other prospect in that draft class except perhaps Zion. The Grizzlies didn't just get a good player at number two - they found someone who would redefine their entire franchise.