2019 NBA Mock Draft: A crazy lottery throws everything into question
Ja Morant. 2. player. 211. . G. Murray State
Morant was the highest-caliber prospect available to the media at the draft combine, and it was surprising even to see the point guard make an appearance. He said very little in front of the swarm of cameras and microphones in Chicago, but it’s clear he takes the opportunity seriously to be a high pick in the draft.
“If I could take the fame away, I would,” he said last week. I haven’t really thought about (the money). I just want to play basketball at the highest level.”
“It’s been crazy. Coming from being under the radar to being one of the most talked about players now, it’s something I’m getting used to,” Morant continued. “I really don’t speak too much about myself. Obviously, there’s a lot of talented guys in here. To be talked about as one of the top players is just an honor.”
On and on, Morant said the right things to take the focus away from his surprising leap to stardom and toward what he could do to help a team.
“Small market, big market, it doesn’t matter, I’m going to be happy,” he said. “Coming from being under the radar, having not been paid attention to (at Murray State), it made me play with a chip on my shoulder. That’s one of my motivations.”
If the Grizzlies do as expected and select Morant, they will have a core of him and Jaren Jackson Jr. for a long while.