"Same lil layup": Hoops fans react to Memphis Grizzlies' Ja Morant's throwback high school basketball clip

By Nishant

Modified Nov 04, 2024 14:48 GMT

A throwback high school basketball clip of Memphis Grizzlies’s Ja Morant was recently posted on the Instagram handle slam_hs, and it got fans buzzing. The video highlights the formative days of one of the most explosive talents in the NBA, and hoops fans couldn’t contain their excitement.

Before becoming the 2x NBA all-star, Ja Morant was already turning heads at Crestwood High School in Sumter, South Carolina.

Reminiscing about those days when Ja Morant was a high school basketball phenom, one fan commented:

“He was made for this.”

Another fan, amazed with his playing style, said:

“Before the bounce 🔥”

“Where does bro get all the bounce from?” another fan marveled, capturing the awe at Morant’s athleticism.

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Some fans noticed that Morant was already perfecting his signature moves back in high school, with one saying:

“Same little layup.”

Others remarked:

“So that's why the layup package is so elite; he's been doing it.”

The clip inspired nostalgia in local fans who remember him playing in high school. Noting how popular Ja Morant was even back then, one fan said:

"Man, his junior and senior years were crazy. Man had the whole sumter and surrounding areas at Crestwood games. If you didn't get there early, you were either standing up or couldn't get in.”

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Ja Morant was a prodigy in high school. When he left Crestwood High School, he had already accumulated 1,679 points, etching his name in his school’s history as its all-time leading scorer. After being drafted second overall by the Memphis Grizzlies during the 2019 season, he has been a key player for his team.

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Ja Morant shines in the Memphis Grizzlies vs. Philadelphia 76ers clash

The Memphis Grizzlies locked horns with the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday at Wells Fargo Center. Morant’s team, brimming with confidence since Thursday’s 122-99 Milwaukee Bucks triumph, took the challenge and went in with a mindset to win.

Although the Taylor Jenkins-led side battled injuries and was missing key players like Desmond Bane, Luke Kennard, and GG Jackson, they put up an impressive show. Ultimately, the Grizzlies registered their second win on the trot as they outshined the Philadelphia 76ers with a 124-107 victory.

Ja Morant spent over 31 minutes on the court and played a crucial role in his team’s victory. The 6-foot-2 point guard, an All-NBA Second Team player, scored 18 points and topped his performance with 12 assists and six rebounds.

Morant has been a consistent performer for the Grizzlies. In the 2024-2025 season, he registered 20 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 9.8 assists while displaying solid shooting abilities with 45.3 FG%. He is an incredible player, and there’s no doubt that his time at Crestwood High School was the foundation that has propelled him to the zenith of basketball success.