Ja Morant Wins NBA Rookie of the Year

Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant was announced the NBA’s Rookie of the Year on Wednesday.

What we know:

• Morant won the award in a landslide. Earning 99 first-place votes, Morant was one vote shy of winning unanimously. In total, Morant earned 498 voting points. Miami Heat guard Kendrick Nunn finished in second place with 204 points and New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson finished in third with 140 points, earning one first-place vote.

Ja Morant wins Rookie of the Year. Kendrick Nunn finishes second, Zion Williamson third: pic.twitter.com/bjeG6rplXt

— Malika Andrews (@malika_andrews) September 3, 2020

• Morant was the second overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. He played two seasons at Murray State and wowed scouts with his playmaking ability and athleticism. Morant immediately became the face of the franchise. If that sounds like a lot of pressure, don’t worry – Ja was ready for it. Ahead of the draft, Morant said that he loved the pressure and negative energy of entering the NBA. “I love negative energy; it motivates me. My dad was my first hater,” he said last June.

Ja Morant: “I love negative energy, it motivates me. My dad was my first hater.” pic.twitter.com/OtleId7DEZ

— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) June 19, 2019

• The Grizzlies had a long tenure of success during the 2010s with their “Grit & Grind” teams lead by Marc Gasol and Mike Conley, but the two were traded away last year as the team entered a rebuilding phase. The Grizzlies were once again expected to be one of the worst teams in the league with their young roster, but they finished with a competitive record of 34-39. Even with the shortened season, they still improved on their win total from 2018-2019.
• Behind a duo of Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr., the Grizzlies finished with the 9th seed in the Western Conference and reached the play-in game. Even though they lost to the Portland Trail Blazers, it’s incredibly promising that a young team was able to bounce back from a bad season the year prior and find themselves just shy of making the NBA playoffs.
• At just 21 years old, Morant led the Grizzlies to a much improved season and he balled out while doing so. He led all rookies in scoring and assists with 17.8 points and 7.3 assists per game. He electrified the league with thunderous dunks and sensational passes. Morant is just the second player in Grizzlies history to win Rookie of the Year, joining the all-time great Pau Gasol.

“For guys who are not heavily recruited right now, this gives them a lot of hope. ”@JaMorant reacts to being named the 2019-20 #KiaROY. pic.twitter.com/z4OypDZdvA

— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) September 3, 2020

The Grizzlies have an energetic young roster and should have a bright future ahead of them with Morant at the helm. Morant has a lot of work to do to reach the next level, but don’t underestimate a guy whose dad was his first hater.