The Memphis Sports & Events Center vibrated for the Memphis basketball camp Ja Morant Saturday, to the delight of the 650 children who came to participate and see their favorite star up close. The leader of the Grizzlies also appreciated finding himself surrounded by admirers, he who is coming out of a season and a half that was delicate to say the least, between his 25-match suspension and his shoulder injury which forced him to have surgery in January.
Even if he was only able to play nine matches this season, and despite his extra-sporting gaps, his popularity seems intact. Nike continues to unveil (and sell) new colors of the Ja 1, released in February 2023, and Ja Morant still has his place among the players who sell the most jerseys in the NBA. Away from the field since January, he experienced this start of camp as a real deliverance and a way to boost his morale.
“For a camp like this, the crowd helps show how much support I still have and that people are still fans of me. It's one of those moments when you look at yourself and you're proud.”, did he declare.
Two more weeks of recovery
If he briefly handled the ball to the delight of his young campers, Ja Morant had to restrain himself because he has not yet fully recovered from his shoulder operation. He should still need a good two weeks of convalescence before he can be allowed to play again without restrictions. From this point of view, he was not able to have as much fun as he would have liked, but he is being patient, four months before the start of the 2024/25 season.
“I hate being in a basketball atmosphere and not being able to play. I don't have much longer. I can't wait to make sure I can play again and be allowed back when the season starts.”he added.
Beyond his camp and the preparation for the coming season, the hot news for Memphis is the Draft since the Grizzlies have the 9th pick. Ja Morant will follow the ceremony closely since he will be in New York, but don't count on him to give any indication on the tracks favored by the Grizzlies.
“I can’t wait to see what happens.” I know the internet is probably going to get hot, so I’ll probably turn off my phone.”
| Ja Morant | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | 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? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
