Memphis Grizzlies' guard Ja Morant has had quite the homecoming this week at Murray State, his alma mater. The former Racer, who once walked onto the campus with little to no hype, is now set to join the esteemed ranks of the university's Hall of Fame - a clear testament to his meteoric rise from college underdog to NBA superstar. Returning amid a fan base that has seen him go from stealth to stellar, Morant also took the time to host a youth basketball camp before the big event, an experience he seems to treasure as much as his impending induction.
During his time at Murray State from 2017 to 2019, Morant transformed the program, leading the Racers to two Ohio Valley Conference championships and two NCAA Tournament appearances. On Saturday, he will be recognized for his collegiate achievements. Joining him for the prestigious honor are notables such as Daniel Calhoun, Becca Lamb, Velvet Milkman, Miyah Watford, Quincy Williams, and Jack Wolf, each carving their mark in Racer history. As reported by Local Memphis, Morant expressed his reverence for the honor, acknowledging, "I'm grateful, thankful and very appreciative of everything."
An All-Star, Rookie of the Year, and Most Improved Player, Morant's accolades have been piling up since he left Murray, but as he said in an interview with Action News 5, this recognition might just top the list: "It's a lot of people that won an NBA people before, it’s a lot of people that probably had a triple-double, but you can’t say it’s a lot that actually went into the Hall of Fame of their college." His reflections suggest that while the victories and the stats have piled up, the journey from Murray State to the NBA still sits deeply rooted in his identity.
While there's cause for celebration on the sentimental front, there's also positive news on the health side. Still, Morant is pushing through a rehab process after a labral tear in his right shoulder took a toll on his previous season. "I’m really full go. It’s just building endurance now," Morant told WREG, but despite not being 100 percent, he assures "that’s still scary for whoever’s in front of me." Children watched, as he moved pretty smoothly during the camp, dunking and shooting with a reassuring ease - a promising sight for Grizzlies fans eager for his return.
The official induction is a part of the Racer Hoopalooza event tomorrow, an event that not only celebrates the former and current glory of the Murray State athletics program but also stands as a full-circle moment for Morant.
