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NBA Draft 2019: After getting eliminated, Ja Morant is just getting started

By Andres Buenahora

HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT - MARCH 21: Ja Morant #12 of the Murray State Racers drives the ball down court during the first round game of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament against the Marquette Golden Eagles at XL Center on March 21, 2019 in Hartford, Connecticut. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT - MARCH 21: Ja Morant #12 of the Murray State Racers drives the ball down court during the first round game of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament against the Marquette Golden Eagles at XL Center on March 21, 2019 in Hartford, Connecticut. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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Murray State Prospect Ja Morant is showing time and time again why he’s one of the best prospects in the 2019 NBA Draft and may be the next great NBA guard

Most have penned Duke’s Zion Williamson as the best player in college basketball. However, there’s a kid from Murray State who is showing he is every bit just as good.

In the first-round of the NCAA tournament, Ja Morant led his 12th seeded team to a huge blowout win to upset 5th seeded Marquette. He dropped 17 points, 16 assists, and 11 rebounds – the first triple double in March Madness since 2012.

Morant then followed that impressive performance up in the second round of the tournament by dropping 28 points, five rebounds and four assists in a loss to a much more talented Florida State team.

Despite being 6-foot-3 with a slim 175-pound mold, Morant is one of the more explosive guards in this year’s NBA Draft. He’s strong enough to finish through contact once he gets to the rim and possesses incredible quickness that will make him extremely difficult to stay in front of for most NBA point guards.

His ball-handling also allows him to easily manipulate the defense and create whatever shot he wants for himself or his teammates. Morant’s playmaking ability is another significant part of his skillset as he leads the nation in assists with 10 assists per game.

His only real weakness would be his jump shot, but Morant just scored 16 points on 5/5 3-point field goals in the first half alone against Florida State. Even though Murray State lost in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, it’s undeniable that Ja Morant is the best point guard in the 2019 NBA Draft, and maybe even the best player.

Next. 2019 NBA Draft: 20 prospects to watch during the NCAA Tournament. dark

Time will tell which prospect goes No. 1 overall but in Morant, you get a franchise point guard with serious all-star potential who will entertain fans for years to come with his high-flying dunks, smooth crossovers, and beautiful dimes. His performance in the NCAA Tournaments was just a preview of what is to come.