Ja Morant named the near-unanimous NBA Rookie of the Year winner

Morant averaged 17.6 points, 6.9 assists and 3.5 assists in 59 games played before the season shut down on March 11.

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After receiving 99 out of a possible 100 first-place votes, Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant on Thursday was named the 2019-20 NBA Rookie of the Year, the league announced.

Morant averaged 17.6 points, 6.9 assists and 3.5 assists in 59 games played before the season shut down on March 11. He led all qualified rookies in scoring and assists while he shot 49.1% from the field. He joined LeBron James and Nikola Jokic as the only three players to average 17 points and six assists while shooting 49% from the field during that time frame.

Morant won was named the Western Conference Rookie of the Month three times during the season and became the second Grizzlies player to earn Rookie of the Year honors, joining Pau Gasol during the 2001-02 season. Morant broke the franchise rookie record for assists in a season and did so in just his 48th game.