Tag: Ja Morant

NBA superstar shouts out Duke freshman Isaiah Evans after his big game against Auburn

Duke basketball freshman Isaiah Evans exploded in the first half against Auburn, and one All-NBA star let him know he was watching.

[autotag]Isaiah Evans[/autotag], a five-star freshman on the Duke men’s basketball team, played the best 11 minutes of his collegiate career thus far on Wednesday night.

Evans subbed in against the Auburn Tigers with 12:40 left to play in the opening half of the midweek battle, and he knocked down four 3-pointers in the next six minutes to drag the Blue Devils back into the game.

Auburn entered the game with an undefeated 7-0 record, and the Tigers opened the game with a 13-2 run. By the time Evans knocked down his fourth triple, the Blue Devils led by two points.

Evans made two more 3-pointers before the break, giving him 18 first-half points on nothing but daggers. It’s hard for any first-year Blue Devil to steal the spotlight from superstar teammate [autotag]Cooper Flagg[/autotag], but the North Carolina native did exactly that on national television, and one of the NBA’s biggest stars certainly noticed.

Memphis Grizzlies forward Ja Morant, a two-time All-Star and former All-NBA Second Team member at just 25 years old, shouted Evans out on X (the social media platform formerly known as Twitter) my posting his name with some exclamation points during the opening run.

Evans is now averaging 9.4 points and shooting 50.0% from 3-point range in five appearances this season.

Ziaire Williams: ‘It almost feels like I’m a rookie again’

Ziaire Williams, the Brooklyn Nets’ newly acquired wing, has shown glimpses of his potential as he navigates his early years in the NBA. Standing at 6-foot-9, Williams’ combination of length, versatility, and athleticism positions him as a …

Ziaire Williams, the Brooklyn Nets’ newly acquired wing, has shown glimpses of his potential as he navigates his early years in the NBA. Standing at 6-foot-9, Williams’ combination of length, versatility, and athleticism positions him as a prospective piece that could become key for the Nets’ rebuilding efforts.

Williams began his career with the Memphis Grizzlies, where he appeared in 150 games through three seasons averaging 7.5 points and 2.6 rebounds. His best season was his rookie campaign, when Williams averaged 8.1 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.0 assists in 62 games in 2021-22.

In a chat with HoopsHype, on behalf of Herbalife, Williams opened up about his NBA journey, sharing how he’s focused on leveling up his game and looking forward to a fresh start in Brooklyn.

Reed Sheppard focused on growth, teammates with summer Rockets

“Keep getting in the gym and keep building relationships with your teammates,” Rockets rookie Reed Sheppard says of his summer-league priorities.

Two games into the NBA’s 2024 summer league in Las Vegas, Rockets rookie Reed Sheppard is already showing why he’s a vital piece of Houston’s new formula for returning to the postseason.

At the moment, Sheppard is averaging 22.5 points per game, which ties 2023 summer-league MVP Cam Whitmore for Houston’s lead.

In that case, he can not only help the team reach its short-term goal of winning a summer-league title, but he may also give head coach Ime Udoka a better feel for where he fits in the rotation.

Sheppard, the Rockets’ No. 3 overall selection in this year’s draft, is taking it all in — one day at a time. He knows that the process will take time, so as of now, he is just taking it slowly and getting acclimated to playing against the NBA-level competition.

“At the end of the day, it’s basketball,” Sheppard said after helping his team improve to 2-0 by defeating Washington. “You get to go and play the game you love with really good players and teammates, and I am super pumped to get out there and play the game I love.”

One promising sign is the chemistry that Sheppard and Whitmore have established. Throughout Sunday’s game, the former Kentucky standout found Whitmore slashing to the basket for multiple dunks that brought the crowd to their feet. That included regular-season teammates Jabari Smith Jr. and Amen Thompson, seated baseline.

“It’s very exciting playing with Reed,” Whitmore told reporters after the 18-point victory. “He can do everything, even on the defensive end. Even though he is not the tallest, he still has skills; he can get in the gaps and can get in the passing lane. He can finish, play-make, he can shoot. He can do everything on the floor.”

The rookie’s performance is not going unnoticed on social media, with esteemed NBA veterans like Trae Young of the Atlanta Hawks and Ja Morant of the Memphis Grizzlies among those acknowledging Sheppard’s game on their social media platforms. Even with that type of attention, Sheppard remains focused on improving.

“Keep getting in the gym and keep building relationships with your teammates,” Sheppard said when asked about that praise. “Just stick to yourself. Don’t try to be anyone else or anyone.”

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Trae Young, Ja Morant impressed by summer brilliance of Rockets’ Reed Sheppard

Grizzlies star Ja Morant and Hawks star Trae Young are among those taking notice of Reed Sheppard’s brilliant summer play for the Rockets.

Through two NBA summer-league games, rookie guard Reed Sheppard has been sensational for the Houston Rockets.

After being drafted at No. 3 in the 2024 first round in June, Sheppard is currently averaging 22.5 points, 6.0 assists, 5.0 rebounds, 3.0 steals, and 2.0 blocks in 31.0 minutes per game — all while shooting better than 55% from the field and 45% on 3-pointers.

Most importantly, the numbers have contributed to winning for the Rockets, who are 2-0 with a pair of dominant 18-point victories.

Beyond earning praise from media members and fans, Sheppard also appears to be turning heads from players within the league.

Trae Young and Ja Morant — recent All-Star guards with the Atlanta Hawks and Memphis Grizzlies, respectively — addressed Sheppard’s play with social media posts on X during Sunday’s game.

Young posted: “Reed Sheppard nice, y’all!”

Morant then quoted Young’s post with multiple exclamation points.

Complete highlights of Sheppard’s latest showing are available below. As for the summer Rockets, they will look to continue their unbeaten run when they face the Detroit Pistons on Monday afternoon.

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Wisconsin Basketball: Statistical history of No. 5 vs. No. 12 seeds in the NCAA Tournament

Is Wisconsin on upset alert against James Madison?

The 12-seed vs. 5-seed matchup has emerged as one of the more interesting March Madness matchups since the tournament expanded in 1985.

There have been 12 upsets in No. 12 vs No. 5 games since 2014. The most recent arrived in 2022 when New Mexico State defeated UConn 70-63.

Wisconsin enters this year’s tournament as a No. 5 seed with a first-round matchup against James Madison. Although the Badgers are favored by 5.5 points, the history behind 12-5 matches in March Madness cannot be understated. 

IT’S BRACKET MADNESS: Enter USA TODAY’s NCAA tournament bracket contest for a chance at $1 million prize.

In 2019, the Badgers dropped their opening game of the tournament to No. 12 Oregon 72-54. The same year, future NBA All-Star Ja Morant dropped a triple-double for 12-seeded Murray State en route to a 83-64 victory over 5-seed Marquette.

Here is a quick overview of all the essentials you need to know for the iconic 12-5 matchup. It doesn’t mean great things for the Badgers.

Facts:

  • Since 1985, 12-seeds have defeated 5-seeds 53 times. Ahead of 2024’s tournament, the lower seed boasted a 53-99 mark (34.87 win percentage) 
  • In 32 of the last 38 years, the 12-seed stole at least one first round game.
  • Other 12-5 games featuring Wisconsin:
    • 2009: Wisconsin defeats No. 5 Florida State 61-59
    • 2013: Ole Miss defeats No. 5 Wisconsin 57-46

All-time seed-seed records: first round

  • 1 vs. 16: 150-2
  • 2 vs. 15: 141-11
  • 3 vs. 14: 130-22
  • 4 vs. 13: 120-32
  • 6 vs. 11: 94-58
  • 7 vs. 10: 92-59
  • 8 vs 9: 74-78

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LOOK: Ja Morant shoes this season

Ever since Ja Morant joined Nike in 2019, the sneaker giant has been all in on investing in the high flyer. Even when Morant was going through his off-court troubles, Nike stood firm by his side. His signature shoe, the Ja 1, dropped in April 2023, and he’s already had multiple color renditions of the shoe he’s showcased.

Take a look at the shoe apparel Morant has worn in the handful of games he has played in this season:

Ja Morant out: What’s next for the Grizzlies?

Grizzlies guard Ja Morant will miss the remainder of the season due to labrum surgery , only 11 games after retaking the court from his lengthy punishment to open the campaign for his various indiscretions, in what will amount to a nothing season …

Grizzlies guard Ja Morant will miss the remainder of the season due to labrum surgery, only 11 games after retaking the court from his lengthy punishment to open the campaign for his various indiscretions, in what will amount to a nothing season for the franchise’s 24-year-old cornerstone.

The difference with and without Morant was palpable. In games without Morant this season, the Grizzlies have posted a mere 6-20 record; with him, they won six of their 10 outings, with Ja being the game-deciding factor. The already flimsy argument that the Grizzlies might be better without Morant based on their anomalous record without him in the 2022/23 season was running on fumes. Now, though, yet another extended absence is upcoming.

The reasons why the 2023-24 and 2022-23 Ja-less Grizzlies are so different are myriad and not to be explored here. Injuries, certainly, are a big part of it. Nevertheless, there exists a salary cap vehicle precisely for such eventualities. Per the terms of the NBA’s Collective Bargaining Agreement, teams with players who suffer season-ending injuries can apply for a Disabled Player Exception, a tool to help them plug the gap. And the usefulness of those is directly correlated to how much salary the hurt player is getting paid.

Ja Morant had a heartbreaking Instagram reaction to news of his season-ending surgery

Morant and the Grizzlies simply cannot find a rhythm.

After missing 25 games due to a suspension, Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant will miss the remainder of the season with a shoulder injury.

The two-time All-Star guard and former Rookie of the Year played just nine games for Memphis in 2023-24. He hit a wild game-winner during his first game back with the Grizzlies and was averaging 25.1 points per game before his injury.

Shortly after the team announced that Morant would require surgery for a torn labrum in his right shoulder, he reacted on Instagram with a devastating post.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C13atxDt2n_/?hl=en&img_index=1

Morant said that he was “tired” of having to come back soon, which makes sense considering the on-again and off-again nature of his season.

According to Jeff Stotts of InStreetClothes.com, while the surgery has a very high success rate, players typically miss around five months with this injury.

That makes it hard for both Morant and the Grizzlies, who are also without notable players including Steven Adams and Brandon Clarke due to season-ending injuries as well, to find a rhythm.

Memphis was 6-3 (.666) during games Morant played this season and 7-20 (.259) in games he did not. The Grizzlies had a positive point differential in minutes Morant played, per PBPStats, but were outscored by 7.01 points per 100 possessions in minutes he did not.

Morant is expected to make a full recovery and is expected back on the court next season.

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Ja Morant breaks down highlight dunk over Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama

After the San Antonio Spurs’ loss to the Memphis Grizzlies, Ja Morant spoke about his highlight dunk over Victor Wembanyama.

The San Antonio Spurs fell to the Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday night by a score of 106-98. They kept it close for most of the first half, and despite going down by double digits late in the second quarter, they battled back by the early stages of the third. Unfortunately, that’s when the Grizzlies managed to pull ahead.

Ja Morant helped lead the charge for the Grizzlies, as has been the case since his return from his 25-game suspension to begin the year. But he did more than just put up great numbers. Morant also decided to go for a highlight over star Spurs rookie Victor Wembanyama.

Morant threw down a jam over Wembanyama in the paint, calling it a late Christmas gift for the fans. (H/t Jeff Smith of Sports Illustrated)

“That’s what everybody wanted, so that’s my late Christmas gift,” Morant said via Damichael Cole of The Commercial Appeal.

At the same time, however, Morant downplayed the dunk. He made sure to emphasize that his goal is always just to score, not necessarily to create a highlight play.

“Moment was just like any other moment when someone is guarding me,” Morant said via Jonah Kubicek of Inside the Spurs. “My goal is to score.”

Morant finished the game with 26 points, five rebounds, and 10 assists while shooting 7-of-15 from the floor and 3-of-9 from beyond the three-point arc.

Meanwhile, Wembanyama ended the night with 20 points, seven rebounds, one assist, and four blocks while shooting 8-of-16 from the floor and 2-of-5 from distance.

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Victor Wembanayma praises Ja Morant after Spurs lose to Grizzlies

San Antonio Spurs rookie Victor Wembanyama had some words for Ja Morant after their loss to the Memphis Grizzlies.

Following an impressive win over the Portland Trail Blazers, the San Antonio Spurs have now lost three games in a row. Their latest loss came against the Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday night, as they fell 106-98. Ever since Ja Morant returned from his suspension, the Grizzlies have been much better, and the Spurs learned that the hard way.

Getting Morant back has given them a major boost, and the Spurs just weren’t able to hang with the fully healthy Grizzlies. Morant even went for a monster dunk over Victor Wembanyama, who is currently leading the entire league in blocks per game.

After the game, Wembanyama showed Morant some love.

“Good player. Very small, so it’s hard to catch up with him,” Wembanyama said via ESPN. “Very fast. Just another great player that I see every night in the NBA.”

Morant finished the game 26 points, five rebounds, and 10 assists while shooting 7-of-15 from the field and 3-of-9 from behind the three-point line.

As for Wembanyama, he put up 20 points, seven rebounds, one assist, and four blocks while shooting 8-of-16 from the floor and 2-of-5 from beyond the three-point arc.

San Antonio was leading in the early stages of the third quarter after overcoming a 10-point deficit, but after that, the Grizzlies stormed ahead. Memphis was up by as many as 18 points in the fourth quarter, closing out the Spurs and Wembanyama.

The Spurs have a tough stretch coming up, too, with games against the Milwaukee Bucks and Cleveland Cavaliers coming up next.

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