- Murray State sophomore guard Ja Morant put on a show in the first round of the NCAA Tournament to help the Racers beat No. 5 Marquette.
- Morant notched the first triple-double in the tournament since Draymond Green in 2012 while showing off his elite athleticism and playmaking.
- Morant was already considered a top-three draft prospect, but his performance has the NBA world buzzing that he could become a better pro than Zion Williamson.
Ja Morant was already considered a top NBA draft prospect going into the NCAA Tournament, but his stock is now soaring after an impressive first performance.
The sophomore guard notched the first March Madness triple-double since 2012 on Thursday, scoring 17 points, 11 rebounds, and 16 assists to help No. 12 Murray State upset No. 5 Marquette — one of the biggest upsets of the first round.
Most mock drafts have had Morant going second or third in the upcoming NBA draft, but all players have been viewed as a tier below Duke’s Zion Williamson, the clear-cut No. 1 prospect.
Morant might have changed that on Thursday.
The wiry, explosive, 6-foot-3 guard dominated Marquette, showing off his combination of skill and talent while shredding every defensive look the Golden Eagles threw at him.
Perhaps most impressive was Morant’s comfort running an NBA-style offense. Murray State put the ball in his hands, ran pick-and-rolls and other off-ball actions, and let Morant bend the defense to his will. From there, he simply picked apart Marquette, hitting open shooters and cutters from every angle.
Morant has been an iffy shooter in his two years at Murray State, and his three-point shooting is considered his biggest weakness ahead of the NBA draft. However, on Thursday, Morant hit both of his attempts, including an impressive stepback that will surely delight some NBA scouts about his prospects at the next level.
Morant also showed a bit of what has made him one of the most tantalizing athletes in college — his leaping ability. Morant might be the second-best dunker in college after Williamson, and he put on Marquette defender on a poster on Thursday wiith a beautiful backdoor cut.
Morant’s triple-double put him with some elite company in March Madness history.
Granted, Morant doesn’t have much to climb on the draft ladder, but some wonder if Thursday’s performance elevated him into Williamson’s category.
ESPN’s Jay Williams argued on "Get Up!" on Friday that Morant might even have more success at the NBA level than Williamson, comparing Morant to Russell Westbrook.
The next round of the tournament will be a big moment for Morant and Murray State. Another impressive performance and win over No. 4 Florida State, and Morant will officially be in the running for the No. 1 pick and Murray State will officially become this year’s Cinderella team.
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See Also:
- New Mexico State loses in March Madness after player passes up wide-open, game-tying layup in the final seconds in wild finish
- Here is who the experts are picking to make the Final Four in March Madness
- WHERE ARE THEY NOW? Michael Jordan’s legendary UNC national championship team
Source: Business Insider – sdavis@businessinsider.com (Scott Davis)