Two years is how long it took Yes Morant to return to Murray State University, where he took off from 2017 to 2019 before joining the NBA. Even then, clips of his wildest flights of fancy promised him a great future, until his Draft in second position, where he was presented as the successor to a certain Russell Westbrookthen at the height of his art.
Five years later, Ja Morant is back in style. The Grizzlies point guard, who is coming off a very difficult year and a half, between injuries and suspensions for his extra-sporting misdeeds, will indeed be inducted into his university's Hall of Fame this Saturday.
In recent days, he has been working to share with the youngsters through his own basketball camp, a way of giving back to local basketball players who dream of following in his footsteps, and also of finding the right path.
“I never thought I would have my own camp here. But it is a privilege and I am happy about it.”, did he declare before expressing his gratitude at the idea of joining the Racers Hall of Fame. “There are a lot of people who have already won an NBA game, a lot of people who have already achieved a triple-double, but you can't say that many of them have entered the Hall of Fame of their university. I am very grateful, happy and I appreciate all of this very much.”
While waiting for the recovery…
Away from Team USA, this summer should also allow Ja Morant to recharge his batteries on all levels in order to be able to return to the best of his form at the start of the school year for a new season that looks like the start of a new career for him. If his head seems to have regained a semblance of serenity, what about his physique? Authorized to resume full-on training, with contact, after his shoulder injury that ended his season at the beginning of January, Ja Morant is giving himself a few more weeks to get back to top form.
“I'm definitely ready to go. It's just a matter of building up my endurance now.”he added. “If I had to pick a number, I'd say I'm probably at 75 percent, and I think that's still scary enough for any opponent that comes my way. I'm not at 120 percent yet, but by the time we get to October, I'll be there.”
His induction into the Hall of Fame is another mark of respect from Murray State for Ja Morant's body of work. In February 2020, this Kentucky state school had already retired his number 12.
| Yes Morant | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | LF | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2019-20 | SAME | 67 | 31 | 47.7 | 33.5 | 77.6 | 0.8 | 3.1 | 3.9 | 7.3 | 1.6 | 0.9 | 3.3 | 0.3 | 17.8 |
| 2020-21 | SAME | 63 | 33 | 44.9 | 30.3 | 72.8 | 0.9 | 3.1 | 4.0 | 7.4 | 1.4 | 0.9 | 3.2 | 0.2 | 19.1 |
| 2021-22 | SAME | 57 | 33 | 49.3 | 34.4 | 76.1 | 1.4 | 4.4 | 5.7 | 6.7 | 1.5 | 1.2 | 3.4 | 0.4 | 27.4 |
| 2022-23 | SAME | 61 | 32 | 46.6 | 30.7 | 74.8 | 1.0 | 4.9 | 5.9 | 8.1 | 1.6 | 1.1 | 3.4 | 0.3 | 26.2 |
| 2023-24 | SAME | 9 | 35 | 47.1 | 27.5 | 81.3 | 0.7 | 4.9 | 5.6 | 8.1 | 2.1 | 0.8 | 3.0 | 0.6 | 25.1 |
| Total | 257 | 32 | 47.2 | 31.8 | 75.5 | 1.0 | 3.9 | 4.8 | 7.4 | 1.6 | 1.0 | 3.3 | 0.3 | 22.5 | |
How to read the stats? GM = Games Played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Shots Made / Shots Attempted; 3pts = 3-pointers / 3-pointers Attempted; LF = Free Throws Made / Free Throws Attempted; Off = Offensive Rebound; Def = Defensive Rebound; Tot = Total Rebounds; Pd = Assists; Fte: Personal Fouls; Int = Steals; Bp = Loose Balls; Ct: Blocks; Pts = Points.
