Honestly, the story of Ja Morant is basically a movie script. People see him now as this high-flying, superstar point guard for the Memphis Grizzlies, but a few years ago? He was a complete ghost in the recruiting world. If you're wondering what college did ja morant go to, the answer is Murray State University.
But just saying the name doesn't do it justice. He didn't just "go" there; he basically set the place on fire for two years.
It’s crazy to think that a guy who would eventually be the No. 2 overall pick in the NBA Draft had zero stars next to his name in high school. Zero. Most kids at that level are chasing blue-blood offers from Duke or Kentucky. Ja was playing in a back gym in South Carolina, mostly unnoticed, until a hungry coach wanted some snacks.
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The Dorito Discovery and the Road to Murray
Believe it or not, Morant ended up at Murray State because of a bag of chips. James Cain, an assistant coach for the Racers at the time, was at a scouting event to see other players. He got hungry, headed toward a concession stand, and heard the rhythmic thud of a ball coming from an auxiliary gym nearby.
He peaked in.
There was Ja, playing a three-on-three game. Cain didn't even make it to the chips. He called head coach Matt McMahon immediately. He basically told him he’d found a pro in a side gym. Murray State moved fast. They offered him a scholarship, and even though South Carolina tried to jump in late once the secret was out, Morant stayed loyal to the school that saw him first.
He arrived on campus in 2017. He was a skinny kid from Dalzell, South Carolina, weighing maybe 150 pounds soaking wet. Nobody expected him to become the "Point Guard U" legacy following in the footsteps of guys like Isaiah Canaan and Cameron Payne.
What College Did Ja Morant Go To? A Breakdown of the Racer Years
During his freshman year (2017-18), Ja was good, but he wasn't "national headline" good yet. He averaged about 12.7 points and 6.3 assists. He was a secondary option to senior Jonathan Stark. They made the NCAA Tournament, sure, but they lost in the first round to West Virginia.
Then came the jump.
Between his freshman and sophomore years, something clicked. He grew a bit, got stronger, and his bounce became terrifying. By the time the 2018-19 season rolled around, Morant wasn't just the best player in the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC); he was arguably the best player in the country.
The Sophomore Surge Stats:
- Points per game: 24.5
- Assists per game: 10.0
- Total double-doubles: 20
- Triple-doubles: 3 (including the tournament)
He became the first player in NCAA history to average at least 20 points and 10 assists in a single season since the governing body started tracking assists in the 80s. That’s not just "mid-major good." That is historic.
The Game That Changed Everything
If there was one moment that answered the question of what college did ja morant go to for the casual fan, it was the 2019 NCAA Tournament. Murray State was a 12-seed facing a 5-seed Marquette team led by Markus Howard.
Everyone expected a close game. Instead, Ja Morant put on a clinic.
He recorded a triple-double—17 points, 11 rebounds, and 16 assists. It was only the ninth triple-double in the history of the NCAA Tournament. People in the stands were literally chanting "Triple Double" while he was hunting for that last rebound. They absolutely dismantled Marquette 83-64. Even though they lost to Florida State in the next round, the world finally knew where Murray, Kentucky was.
Legacy and the No. 12 Rafters
Ja didn't stay for four years. He couldn't. After that sophomore season, his draft stock was through the roof. He declared for the 2019 NBA Draft and went second, right after his former AAU teammate Zion Williamson.
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Murray State didn't waste any time honoring him. In February 2020, less than a year after he left, they retired his No. 12 jersey. He’s one of only 11 players in the school’s history to have his number hanging in the rafters of the CFSB Center.
The "Morant Effect" changed the university's trajectory. Applications went up. The basketball program got more national TV slots. It proved that you don't need a blue-blood program to become an NBA superstar. You just need the right fit and a coach who lets you play "loose and fast," as McMahon used to say.
What to Do Next if You're Following Ja's Journey
If you're looking to dive deeper into how a small-school player makes it big, here are a few things you should check out:
- Watch the Marquette Highlights: Seriously, go to YouTube and watch his 16-assist performance. It’s a masterclass in court vision.
- Research the OVC History: Murray State has moved to the Missouri Valley Conference recently, but their history in the OVC with Morant and Cameron Payne is legendary for "point guard development."
- Track Mid-Major Sleepers: Keep an eye on the OVC and MVC during March Madness. The "next Ja Morant" is usually hiding in a gym where scouts are just looking for a bag of Doritos.
Basically, Ja Morant didn't just go to college at Murray State; he put the entire university on his back and carried them into the national conversation. It’s a reminder that talent finds a way, even if it starts in a side gym in South Carolina.