How a bag of chips and a tractor tire helped Ja Morant become an NBA lottery lock | E:60

ESPN

18 Jun 201907:00

Summary

TLDRThe script chronicles the journey of basketball phenom Ja Morant, from being overlooked in high school to becoming a standout player at Murray State University. Despite initial doubts about his athleticism, Morant's dedication and growth led to an impressive NCAA tournament performance, ultimately propelling him to declare for the 2019 NBA draft.

Takeaways

🏀 John Morant was always a good player, even though he was initially overlooked due to his size and age.
🤔 Despite his talent, there were doubts about Morant's potential in high school and college, especially regarding his athleticism.
👨‍👦 Morant's father played a crucial role in his development, building a basketball court in their backyard when John was just 10.
🔥 Morant's father also used a big track to improve his son's jumping ability, which contributed to his later dunking skills.
📈 Morant's growth in high school was significant, but he was still considered undersized, which affected his recognition by colleges.
🏆 Despite being undersized, Morant's performance in a two-day tournament caught the attention of James Kane from Murray State University.
🏀 Morant committed to play Division 1 college basketball at Murray State, where he was named team captain in his sophomore year.
🔝 In college, Morant led the nation in assists and averaged over 24 points per game, showcasing his exceptional skills.
🎉 Morant's performance in the NCAA tournament against Marquette, where he nearly achieved a triple-double, made him a household name.
🎉 After his successful college season, Morant declared for the 2019 NBA draft, acknowledging the role of his coach and the opportunities given to him.
💪 Morant's journey is a testament to overcoming doubts and proving one's abilities, even when faced with initial skepticism and challenges.

Q & A

Who is the main subject of the video script?
-The main subject of the video script is Ja Morant, a professional basketball player.
Why was Ja Morant initially overlooked in high school and college?
-Ja Morant was initially overlooked in high school and college due to his lack of size and athleticism, being only 5'7" as a high school freshman and not being able to dunk.
What did Ja Morant's father do to support his son's basketball training?
-Ja Morant's father built a basketball court in their backyard and installed a big track for Ja to improve his jumping ability.
How did Ja Morant's father engage the community in their backyard basketball sessions?
-Ja Morant's father would host hoop sessions in their backyard, inviting around 50 to 60 people to play, and he would cook on the grill for everyone who attended.
What was the turning point for Ja Morant's recognition in basketball?
-The turning point for Ja Morant's recognition was when James Kane from Murray State University saw him playing in an auxiliary gym during a tournament.
At what height and weight did Ja Morant attend the two-day tournament hoping to be noticed?
-Ja Morant attended the two-day tournament at a height of 6 feet and a weight of only 150 pounds.
What college did Ja Morant commit to play basketball for?
-Ja Morant committed to play basketball for Murray State University.
What was Ja Morant's performance like during the NCAA tournament game against Marquette?
-Ja Morant had a dominant performance with 17 points, 16 assists, and 11 rebounds in the NCAA tournament game against Marquette.
How did Ja Morant's performance in the NCAA tournament affect his recognition?
-Ja Morant's performance in the NCAA tournament turned him from an undersized unknown player into a household name.
What decision did Ja Morant make 12 days after the NCAA tournament game?
-Ja Morant decided to declare for the 2019 NBA draft 12 days after the NCAA tournament game.
What was Ja Morant's acknowledgment towards Coach James Kane?
-Ja Morant gave a shout out to Coach James Kane for finding him in a back gym and giving him the opportunity to play at Murray State.

Outlines

00:00

🏀 The Rise of an Underdog: John Morant's Journey

This paragraph tells the inspiring story of John Morant, a basketball player who, despite being overlooked in high school and college, eventually rose to prominence. It starts with his early years, where his father built a basketball court in their backyard to train him, leading to a community of players gathering for games. The narrative moves on to his high school days, where his lack of size and athleticism was a concern, but his father's innovative training methods helped him improve. It also highlights his breakthrough moment during an AAU tournament, where he caught the eye of James Kane from Murray State University. This discovery led to his commitment to play Division 1 college basketball at Murray State, where he excelled and became team captain. His performance in the NCAA tournament, particularly a standout game against Alabama, marked his transition from an unknown player to a recognized talent.

05:04

🚀 From Obscurity to Stardom: Morant's NCAA Success and NBA Aspirations

In this paragraph, we see the transformation of John Morant from an overlooked player to a national sensation. He led the nation in assists and averaged over 24 points per game, culminating in a spectacular performance in the NCAA tournament against Marquette, where he recorded a triple-double. This performance catapulted him into the national spotlight. The paragraph also covers his decision to declare for the 2019 NBA draft, expressing gratitude to his coach, James Kane, for recognizing his talent and giving him the opportunity to shine at Murray State. It concludes with a look ahead to the emotional moment of his NBA draft, where he anticipates the excitement and significance of being drafted and joining a professional team.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡John Morant

John Morant is the central figure in the video script, a basketball player who rose from being overlooked to becoming a phenom. His journey from high school to the NBA is a testament to perseverance and talent. The script mentions his initial doubts in high school, his growth in college, and his eventual rise to fame in the NBA.

💡Overlooked

The term 'overlooked' is used to describe John Morant's early basketball career, where he was not recognized for his potential despite his skill. This concept is crucial as it sets the stage for his underdog story, showing how he defied expectations and became a standout player.

💡High School

High school is a pivotal period in Morant's life, as it is where he faced initial doubts about his basketball career. Despite being doubted, he continued to hone his skills, which eventually led to his college and professional success. The script highlights his struggles and efforts during this time.

💡College

College is where Morant's basketball career began to gain traction. The script mentions his growth in stature and skill, leading to his recognition as a team captain at Murray State. His performance in college, particularly in the NCAA tournament, was a turning point in his career.

💡NBA

The NBA (National Basketball Association) is the ultimate goal for many basketball players, and it represents the pinnacle of professional basketball. In the script, Morant's journey culminates in his decision to declare for the NBA draft, marking a significant milestone in his career.

💡Undersized

Being 'undersized' refers to Morant's physical stature, which was initially a concern for his basketball prospects. Despite being shorter and lighter than many of his peers, he managed to excel through skill and determination, ultimately proving that size is not the sole determinant of success in basketball.

💡AAU

AAU (Amateur Athletic Union) is a significant part of the American sports landscape, providing a platform for young athletes to showcase their talents. In the script, Morant's participation in AAU tournaments is a stepping stone in his journey, allowing him to gain exposure and recognition.

💡Murray State

Murray State University is where Morant committed to play Division 1 college basketball. His time at Murray State was transformative, as he led the team to the NCAA tournament and emerged as a top player, setting the stage for his professional career.

💡NCAA Tournament

The NCAA Tournament is a major event in college basketball, often serving as a springboard for players to enter the professional ranks. Morant's performance in the tournament, particularly his triple-double against Marquette, was a highlight that solidified his status as a top prospect.

💡Draft

The NBA Draft is an annual event where teams select eligible players to join their rosters. In the script, Morant's decision to enter the draft marks a significant moment in his journey, as it signifies his transition from college to professional basketball.

💡James Kane

James Kane is a key figure in Morant's story, as he is the coach from Murray State University who discovered Morant during a recruitment event. His recognition of Morant's talent and subsequent recruitment played a crucial role in launching Morant's college and professional career.

Highlights

John Morant was initially overlooked but eventually rose to become a phenomenal player.

Morant was doubted in high school and college, but his determination never wavered.

At age 10, his father built a basketball court in their backyard to train him.

Morant's father used a big track to improve his son's athleticism and jumping ability.

In 2014, 14-year-old Morant began to excel in AAU basketball, playing alongside Zion Williamson.

Despite his talent, Morant's high school career was largely unnoticed due to his size.

James Kane from Murray State University discovered Morant during a two-day tournament.

Morant committed to play D-1 college basketball at Murray State on September 2nd, 2016.

As a sophomore, Morant led Murray State to the NCAA tournament and was named team captain.

In a game against Alabama, Morant scored 38 points, showcasing his exceptional skills.

Morant led the nation in assists and averaged over 24 points per game.

In the 2019 NCAA tournament, Morant had a dominant performance with 17 points, 16 assists, and 11 rebounds.

Morant's performance in the NCAA tournament made him a household name.

On March 21st, 2019, Morant declared for the 2019 NBA draft.

Morant credits Coach James Kane for giving him the opportunity to play at Murray State.

Morant's journey to the NBA is emotional and significant for his family and himself.

Morant's story is one of perseverance and overcoming doubt to achieve success in basketball.