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2019 NBA Mock Draft: Murray State’s Ja Morant is rising

By Brendon Kleen

CHARLESTON, IL - JANUARY 17: Ja Morant #12 of the Murray State Racers is seen before the game against the Eastern Illinois Panthers at Lantz Arena on January 17, 2019 in Charleston, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
CHARLESTON, IL - JANUARY 17: Ja Morant #12 of the Murray State Racers is seen before the game against the Eastern Illinois Panthers at Lantz Arena on January 17, 2019 in Charleston, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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DURHAM, NC – JANUARY 26: Duke Blue Devils forward RJ Barrett (5) during the college basketball game between Georgia Tech Panthers and the Duke Blue Devils on January 29, 2019, at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, NC. (Photo by Michael Berg/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
DURHAM, NC – JANUARY 26: Duke Blue Devils forward RJ Barrett (5) during the college basketball game between Georgia Tech Panthers and the Duke Blue Devils on January 29, 2019, at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, NC. (Photo by Michael Berg/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

G. Duke. R.J. Barrett. 3. player. 27.

Barrett’s job has been easier since Tre Jones and Cam Reddish returned to the lineup and in turn, his draft stock has solidified. Though he falls to No. 3 here, that is more as a result of Chicago’s need for a point guard and Ja Morant’s excellent recent play than Barrett falling off.

Any time you worry about Barrett’s inefficiency or struggles in a big-time ACC matchup in primetime on national television, check his stats. Barrett is averaging 28 points, 8.3 rebounds and 4.5 assists per 40 minutes on a 53.3 true shooting percentage and 33.3 percent usage rate. While Williamson is Duke’s best player, Barrett is the primary creator on offense and frequently takes the opposing team’s best player on defense.

Against Notre Dame on Monday night, in perhaps Williamson’s best game of the season, Barrett was a steadying presence busting the Irish’s zone from the middle. When Duke played Syracuse, they were without Reddish and Jones, meaning Barrett was the team’s only initiator and Williamson had to play at the free throw line inside the Orange’s zone. With Duke at full strength, Barrett’s gifts shooting and playmaking boosted Duke’s offense and they easily overcame the Notre Dame defense.

Barrett finished with 17 points and 9 rebounds in the game, playing nicely in a secondary role off Williamson’s post-ups and showing NBA teams how nice he would look in a secondary offensive role on the wing.

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