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.