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Battle of the rookie point guards: Ja Morant vs. Coby White set to square off

By Noah Terranova

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 20: (L-R) NBA Draft prospects Coby White, Zion Williamson, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, Ja Morant and De'Andre Hunter stand on stage with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver before the start of the 2019 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 20, 2019 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Lawrie/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 20: (L-R) NBA Draft prospects Coby White, Zion Williamson, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, Ja Morant and De'Andre Hunter stand on stage with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver before the start of the 2019 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 20, 2019 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Lawrie/Getty Images) /
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Rookie point guards Ja Morant and Coby White will face off as the Bulls will take on the Grizzlies in Memphis tonight. In many ways, their paths to the NBA are very different and slightly similar at the same time

For Ja Morant, his path to the NBA was unlikely at first. He was not highly recruited coming out of Crestwood. Only one Division 1 scholarship was offered to him. In fact, Morant playing at Murray State is even something that happened by chance when Murray State assistant coach James Kane saw Morant playing 3-on-3 in a gym while Kane was looking for a snack.

However, Ja Morant would put his name on the map. He was solid as a freshman for the Racers averaging 12.7 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 6.3 assists per game. It was his sophomore season that he would take the world by storm after averaging 24.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, 10 assists per game in his final season of college.

He would become the first player in NCAA history to average 20-plus points and 10-plus assists per game in a college season. With his success led to Ja Morant going from a solid college point guard to a top 3 draft prospect in the 2019 NBA Draft. Where he would be taken second overall by the Memphis Grizzlies.

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Unlike Ja Morant, Coby White was viewed as one of the best point guards coming out of Greenfield School. He was a McDonald’s All-American and would attend North Carolina to play for the Tar Heels. Unlike most freshman that play under Roy Williams, Coby White was the day one starting point guard.

White would average 16.1 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game during his lone season for the Tar Heels. Coby White would go on to be the seventh overall pick by the Chicago Bulls in the 2019 NBA Draft.

Something White does have in common with Morant was how they moved up draft boards, as both were not viewed as big-time NBA prospects until they showed scouts what they could be on the court.

How did they do in their first game?

Ja Morant scored 14 points, grabbed four rebounds, and dished out four assists in his debut against the Miami Heat. He was far from perfect as he did have six turnovers. It could have been much worse from Morant.

Coby White played well in his NBA debut. He dropped 17 points, grabbed three rebounds, and dished out seven assists, while only turning the ball over once. Coby White did come off the bench for the Bulls but got good minutes despite not starting. I could see the Bulls bringing him off the bench for the entire season to run the second unit.

Playstyle

Ja Morant is much more of a passer than his college stats would suggest. He reminds me of a mix between De’Aaron Fox, Ricky Rubio, and Damian Lillard. His athleticism and size are similar to Fox, however, Fox is faster, while Morant is more explosive. His passing and ability to make those around him better reminds me of Ricky Rubio. And his ability to be a threat off the ball and score off the dribble reminds me of Damian Lillard.

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Coby White is more of a scoring point guard. In a way, he reminds me of a taller version of what we people thought Brandon Jennings was going to be when he was entering the league. He is a very capable passer, but his best attribute is his shot-creating. Like Morant, he does remind me of a bit of De’Aaron Fox. This is due to how fast White can be in the open floor.

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