MURRAY, Ky. — Memphis Grizzlies superstar Ja Morant returned to his alma mater Murray State on Thursday to host a youth camp ahead of his induction into the Racer Hall of Fame on Saturday.
"There's a lot of people that have won an NBA game before, there's a lot of people that have probably had a triple-double before but you can't say too many have actually gone into the hall of fame at their college," Morant said. "I'm grateful, thankful and very appreciative of everything."
Morant spent two years in Murray from 2017 to 2019 before being drafted No. 2 overall by the Memphis Grizzlies.
During Morant's time, the Racers won two Ohio Valley Conference regular season and tournament championships and went to the NCAA Tournament twice.
Morant was named the OVC Player of the Year in 2019 and was a two-time All-OVC selection. He became the school's first consensus All-American.
Morant claimed the school's all-time record for assists (532) in just two years and led the country in assists per game (10.0). His 1,213 points is 31st all-time at Murray State. Morant's jersey already hangs in the rafters at CFSB Center, retired in 2020.
Returning to his former home this week for the induction was made all the more special by the hundreds that attended Morant's basketball camp.
"Never have I thought that I would have my own camp here," Morant said. "But it's a blessing and something I'm excited about."
During the camp Morant, most importantly, was putting smiles on hundreds of kids faces, but he was also moving pretty smoothly when dunking on kids, shooting threes and blocking shots.
For Grizzlies fans, those visuals are a sight for sore eyes. After returning from suspension, Morant played in just nine games before taring his labral in his right shoulder and undergoing surgery.
Morant was cleared for full contact practice back on July 10 and told reporters on Thursday he's feeling good.
"I'm really, fully to go, it's just building endurance now," Morant said. "If I had to pick a number I'd say probably 75% and I feel like that’s still scary for whoever’s in front of me.”
The Grizzlies star will join Daniel Calhoun (Baseball, 2006-09), Becca Lamb (Volleyball, 2007-10), Coach Velvet Milkman (Women's Golf, 1993-22), Ja Morant (Men's Basketball, 2017-19), Miyah Watford (Women's Soccer, 2017-19), Quincy Williams (Football, 2014-18) and Jack Wolf (Football, 1967-71) in Murray State's 2024 Hall of Fame class.
The class will be honored during Murray State's Racer Hoopalooza event on July 27.