Ja Morant will take to the court tonight as the Murray State Racers’ take on the Jacksonville State Gamecocks in the Ohio Valley Conference men’s basketball semi-final.
The fixture, to be played at Ford Center, is on cable channel ESPNU for American fans, as the college season begins to draw to a close.
The Racers have are the reigning champions in the OVC tournament, and could seal a place in the NCAA tournament should they go all the way once more.
Key to their success so far this campaign has been Morant – but who is the explosive point guard and where has he come from? Express Sport is on hand to take you through it…
Ja Morant – Beginnings
Born in South Carolina with the full name Temetrius Jamel Morant, he is the son of former professional basketball player Tee Morant, who plied his trade abroad before ‘Ja’ was born.
Growing up, he admired point guards Rajon Rondo and Russell Westbrook, who are 14 and 11 years his senior, respectively.
Morant attended Crestwood High School in his home state where he experienced a growth spurt of eight centimetres in his first three years. He claimed three All-Region MVP awards in his high school career.
Ja Morant – College career
Morant moved over 400miles to attend Murray State on a scholarship, and averaged 12.7 points, 6.5 rebounds and 6.3 assists per game as a freshman.
It has been reported that he could not dunk until his senior high school year, but Morant made headlines in November 2018 with an emphatic dunk against Alabama Crimson Tide.
The dynamic point guard has been named OVC Player of the Year for 2019 – only the third sophomore to win the accolade since 1990.
Ja Morant – Style of play
Morant has drawn comparisons with one of his childhood idols – Westbrook.
He is the same height as Westbrook – 6ft 3in – and, although weighing 25 less pounds, has the energetic, hell-for-leather style for which Westbrook has become renowned.
No player since 2009-10, when Sports-Reference records began, has matched his combination of true shooting percentage (60.9), usage rate (33.1), and assist rate (52.7)
The level at which he’s developed from last season is noticeable, going from shooting 30.7 percent from 3 on 2.8 attempts per game as a freshman to 34 percent on 4.9 attempts per game as a sophomore.
NBA scouts’ only reticence comes regarding his shooting, which may not make it in the big league.
Morant is widely expected to be among Zion Williamson in first three picks at the 2019 NBA Draft, regardless of if his side make it through against Jacksonville tonight.