Ja Morant targets new Grizzlies teammate for next poster dunk after returning from shoulder injury
After successfully rehabbing his injured right shoulder, Memphis Grizzlies star point guard Ja Morant appears poised for a redemption season. However, the high-flying guard also has his sights set on besting two of his highest-profile teammates in practice.
Morant was limited to only nine games last season due to a 25-game suspension for repeatedly brandishing firearms and a subsequent right shoulder tear. In early January, he underwent surgery to repair his injured shoulder, sitting out the campaign's second half.
Following a lengthy rehab process, Morant was fully cleared for basketball activities in early July. On Monday, he returned for Memphis' preseason opener against the Dallas Mavericks, playing 18 minutes before exiting early after rolling his right ankle.
However, the one-time All-NBA selectee's latest injury is considered a "minor ankle tweak," so he remains on track for a potential bounce-back year.
Ahead of the 2024-25 season, Morant spoke with Overtime about what to expect from him dunks-wise. When asked which NBA player he hopes to dunk on for the first time, the two-time All-Star chose his rookie teammate Zach Edey. He later named his co-star Jaren Jackson Jr. as well.
"Zach Edey. Him and Jaren," Morant said.
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Edey, the No. 9 pick in this year's draft, stands at 7-foot-4. He is coming off a dominant senior season at Purdue, winning his second consecutive Naismith College Player of the Year award.
Meanwhile, Jackson, who Morant has played with throughout his career, is heralded as the Grizzlies' top defender. The 6-10 forward took home the NBA's 2023 Defensive Player of the Year trophy.
Thus, Morant, 6-2, appears to have lofty goals.
Watch: Ja Morant lobs it up to Zach Edey as rookie gets his first NBA bucket for Grizzlies
Ja Morant on his improved dunk package entering 2024-25 NBA season
During Ja Morant's aforementioned interview, he touched on his ever-expanding dunk package.
Morant noted that his extensive time off helped him strengthen his legs, setting the stage for him to be more explosive than ever this season.
"I'll say mainly tomahawks," Morant said. "A lot of power behind them right now. It's still early, [my] legs [are] kind of fresh from being off for a while. So, [I'm] getting back in the flow. Way more powerful dunks right now."
Morant has garnered a reputation for being one of the NBA's premier in-game dunkers over his first five seasons. So, if he can take his finishing ability to another level, he should return to his All-Star form and then some.
Over nine outings last season, Morant averaged 25.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, 8.1 assists, 0.8 steals and 1.6 3-pointers per game, shooting 47.1%.
Photo: Ja Morant shares soccer legend Ronaldinho debuting his unreleased 'Ja 2' shoe colorway during NBA Abu Dhabi game