The story of how Ja Morant became a star reads like a fairy tale. A hungry assistant coach wandering into a side gym looking for snacks. An unranked recruit playing pickup. A phone call that changed everything. Yet here we are in November 2025, and the Memphis Grizzlies' franchise player finds himself at a crossroads that has the basketball world questioning whether he can ever recapture the joy and explosiveness that made him special at Murray State.
The Murray State Miracle
When James Kane stumbled upon Morant at a Spartanburg basketball camp in July 2016, he wasn't looking for the next NBA star—he was looking for a snack. But what he found was a slippery 6-foot guard with supernatural court vision and a relentless motor. Kane immediately called his boss, then-Murray State head coach Matt McMahon, with an urgent message: "This kid is a pro."
Morant wasn't ranked by any major recruiting service and received just one high-major offer from South Carolina. He left Crestwood High School in Sumter, South Carolina as a three-time All-Region MVP and the school's all-time leading scorer with 1,679 points, yet the basketball world barely noticed.
Murray State did. And they got everything they hoped for—and more.
In just two seasons and 65 games, Morant helped the Racers win back-to-back OVC championships and tournament titles, posting a 54-11 overall record. His sophomore campaign was nothing short of historic. Morant averaged 24.5 points, 10.0 assists, and 5.7 rebounds per game, becoming the first NCAA player ever to average at least 20 points and 10 assists in a single season.
The numbers tell only part of the story. He scored 40 points while shooting 21-of-21 from the free throw line against SIU Edwardsville, establishing an OVC record and becoming the first Division I player in 20 years to tally at least 40 points, 10 assists, and 5 steals in a single game. He recorded 18 assists against UT Martin, breaking the school record.
Then came March Madness. As a 12-seed against fifth-seeded Marquette, Morant posted one of the great NCAA Tournament performances: 17 points, 16 assists, and 11 rebounds—becoming just the eighth player to officially record a triple-double in tournament history.
Murray State vs. Memphis: A Tale of Two Eras
| Category | Murray State (2017-19) | Memphis Grizzlies (2025-26) |
|---|---|---|
| Points Per Game | 18.7 (24.5 sophomore year) | 18.9 |
| Assists Per Game | 8.2 (10.0 sophomore year) | 8.1 |
| Field Goal % | 48.5% | 35.2% |
| 3-Point % | 34.3% | 16.7% |
| Joy Playing | Evident | "No" (his own words) |
The shooting numbers are particularly alarming—Morant is currently shooting just 35.2% from the field and 16.7% from three-point range this season. Out of 49 players who have attempted at least 50 jumpers this season, Morant ranks dead last in efficiency, making only 14 of 57 jumpers for 0.58 points per shot.
When Morant is on the floor, the Grizzlies have an offensive rating of 106.2, which would rank 28th in the league. When he sits, that figure jumps to 113.7.
The Weight of Expectations
At Murray State, Morant was free. He played with unbridled joy, launching himself at the rim without fear, threading impossible passes, and carrying an entire mid-major program to national prominence. The stakes felt lower, even as they were everything to Murray State fans. There was no $197.2 million contract. No trade rumors. No suspension for conduct detrimental to the team.
Earlier this month, Morant was suspended one game after appearing disengaged during a loss to the Lakers and responding to postgame questions by repeatedly telling reporters to "go ask the coaching staff." The incident stemmed from his frustration with new head coach Tuomas Iisalo's substitution pattern, which emphasizes shorter stints and more substitutions.
When asked after his return whether he felt the same joy he used to feel, Morant simply said "No" and shrugged his shoulders. That one-word answer spoke volumes about how far he's drifted from the player who lit up the Ohio Valley Conference.
Can the Magic Return?
The question isn't whether Morant has talent—at his best, it's easier to catch a butterfly with chopsticks than it is to stay in front of him, as he's elusive, electric, and remarkably fast. The question is whether he can rediscover the mindset that made him special.
Memphis reportedly wants to continue building around Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr., signaling their belief that this partnership can still work. But belief alone won't solve the problem. Multiple front office sources indicate there isn't much of a market around the league for trading for Morant, with concerns about whether he's still an All-Star-level player and how his personality and ball-dominant style would fit on other rosters.
The path forward requires Morant to make a choice. He can continue to let frustration define him, or he can remember what made basketball fun in the first place. At Murray State, every game felt like an opportunity to prove the doubters wrong. He played with a chip on his shoulder but also with genuine love for the game.
Lessons From Murray
What made Morant great at Murray State wasn't just his athleticism or court vision—it was his hunger. He had access to the practice gym 24/7 and would often wander into coaches' offices just to talk basketball. His father noted that Murray kept him focused: "Li'l old Murray. Can't get in no trouble here."
Memphis offers different challenges and different distractions. The expectations are heavier. The microscope is more intense. But the fundamentals remain the same: show up, work hard, embrace coaching, and find joy in the process.
Morant was inducted into Murray State's Hall of Fame in 2024, cementing his legacy as one of the program's all-time greats. He set school records that may never be broken. He put Murray State basketball on the national map in a way few players ever have.
That version of Ja Morant—hungry, joyful, unstoppable—still exists somewhere. The question is whether he wants to find him again.
The Bottom Line
At 4-9, the Grizzlies are struggling, and Morant is in his seventh NBA season at age 26. This isn't the twilight of his career—it should be his prime. November 2025 is shaping up to be a critical month for both Morant and Memphis.
The Murray State magic wasn't about being in a small Kentucky town or playing in the OVC. It was about a player who maximized every ounce of his potential because he loved the game more than he feared failure. That player is still in there. Whether Memphis—and the basketball world—gets to see him again depends entirely on whether Morant can silence the noise, ignore the drama, and remember why he fell in love with basketball in the first place.
The assistant coach who discovered him was looking for chips when he found gold. Now Morant needs to rediscover what made him golden in the first place. The talent never left. The question is whether the joy can return.