What Happened to the 2019 NBA Draft's 2nd Pick and Where Is He Now?
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I still remember watching that 2019 NBA Draft like it was yesterday, sitting in my living room with fellow basketball enthusiasts, all of us buzzing with anticipation about which young phenom would transform their franchise. When the Memphis Grizzlies selected Ja Morant with the second overall pick, the excitement was palpable - here was this explosive guard from Murray State who seemed destined for greatness. Fast forward to today, and his journey has been nothing short of a rollercoaster that perfectly illustrates how professional sports can test even the most talented athletes. What fascinates me about tracking these high draft picks isn't just their statistical performance, but how they handle the immense pressure that comes with their position.
Looking at Ja Morant's early career, the numbers were absolutely staggering - he averaged 17.8 points and 7.3 assists in his rookie season, then exploded to 27.4 points per game in his second year, earning him the 2020 NBA Most Improved Player award. By his third season, he'd become an All-Star starter and led the Grizzlies to their best regular-season record in franchise history at 56-26. The way he played reminded me of a young Derrick Rose with his explosive athleticism and fearlessness attacking the rim. I've always been drawn to players who play with that kind of visible passion, and Morant's highlight-reel dunks became must-watch television. His connection with Memphis felt special too - this small-market team had found their franchise player who genuinely embraced the city.
But then came what I'd call the "volleyball-crazed nation" phenomenon - borrowing from that concept where in sports-obsessed cultures, even minor setbacks get magnified under intense scrutiny. For Morant, the narrowest of missteps became causes for concern in our basketball-crazed society. His first 25-game suspension during the 2023-2024 season for conduct detrimental to the league wasn't just a professional setback - it became a media circus that threatened to define his career. Watching this unfold, I couldn't help but think about how we treat young athletes today, where social media amplifies every mistake and the court of public opinion often renders verdicts faster than any league commissioner.
What's impressed me most, though, has been his recent comeback trajectory. Since returning from that suspension in December 2023, he's put up remarkable numbers - averaging 25.5 points, 8.5 assists, and 5.5 rebounds in his first 15 games back. More importantly, he's shown genuine growth in his leadership and decision-making. I've noticed a maturity in his post-game interviews and a different approach to his public persona. The Grizzlies organization has stood by him through these challenges, implementing what appears to be a strong support system including mentorship programs and psychological counseling - something I wish more teams would prioritize for their young stars.
The business impact of his journey has been fascinating to observe from my perspective as someone who studies sports economics. His jersey sales dipped by approximately 38% during his suspension period but have rebounded by about 22% since his return. The Grizzlies' local television ratings tell a similar story of decline and recovery. This economic rollercoaster demonstrates how much a single player's career trajectory can impact an entire franchise's financial health, especially in smaller markets like Memphis.
Where is Ja Morant now? Currently, he's working his way back to elite form while navigating the challenges of being the face of a franchise. At just 24 years old, he's already experienced the highest highs and some significant lows of professional basketball. From my viewpoint, his story represents something larger about modern sports stardom - the incredible talent that gets you drafted high is only part of the equation. How you handle adversity, learn from mistakes, and grow as both a player and person ultimately determines your legacy. I'm personally rooting for him because basketball is more exciting when players like Morant are thriving - his style of play brings an electricity to the game that's become increasingly rare.
His current situation involves balancing on-court performance with off-court development, and I believe we're witnessing the making of a more complete player and leader. The Grizzlies have built a solid young core around him, including Jaren Jackson Jr. and Desmond Bane, creating what could be a championship-contending team in the near future if everything clicks. What I find most compelling is that Morant's challenges have humanized him in a way that pure success never could - we're now watching someone fight for his career redemption, and that narrative resonates deeply with fans who appreciate authenticity in their sports heroes.
As we look ahead, the trajectory suggests that if Morant maintains his current growth pattern, he could still reach the superstar status everyone predicted for him back in 2019. The raw talent remains undeniable, and now he's gaining the wisdom that often separates good players from all-time greats. In many ways, his journey embodies the complex reality of modern professional sports - where immense talent meets intense scrutiny, and where second chances can sometimes lead to even greater success than the initial promise suggested. I'll be watching with particular interest because stories like his remind us that athletic careers aren't linear, and the most compelling chapters often come after what appears to be a setback.