“What are they feeding kids nowdays bruh”: $50M worth Ja Morant left surprised by rising high school hoopers’ talent

By Aman Sharma

Modified Jul 07, 2024 15:52 GMT

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Memphis Grizzlies superstar Ja Morant was astounded by the impressive talent at a high school basketball tournament at Gersh Park, NY. Widely regarded as one of the NBA's brightest young stars, Morant expressed his disbelief at the skill level of the young players.

"Man, hell yeah! You guys ain't in high school, bruh. They ain't high schoolers, man. What are they feeding kids nowadays, bruh? 12 blocking everything. Bros are fit, he got me weak."

The burgeoning talent in high school basketball has not escaped the notice of the NBA. Many teams are now actively scouting younger players and investing significantly in their development. The NBA's G League Ignite team exemplifies this trend, offering elite high school players a pathway to turn professional.

Despite not playing in December, Ja Morant remains an avid supporter of his team. During a break between games on November 26 and November 29, he chose to watch high school basketball, surprising the Munford boys' team with a locker room visit.

Morant's connection to Munford stems from his college teammate at Murray State, Jonathan Stark, who played at Munford. This bond led to a friendship between Morant and Munford's coach, Kameron Foster. Foster praised Morant, saying:

"He didn’t have to be there at all, but him being the great brother that he is, saying, ‘Hey, I’m trying to come support, try to boost the team up.’ And he did exactly that," Foster told The Commercial Appeal.

Ja Morant also made an unexpected appearance at a G League Memphis Hustle game in December to watch GG Jackson, Kenneth Lofton Jr. and Jacob Gilyard. Additionally, in September 2023, he surprised children at a Nike basketball skills camp, spending two hours playing basketball and connecting with them.

Ja Morant’s determined comeback, aiming for NBA playoffs and new Nike release

Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant is gearing up for a major return to the court next season, following a challenging period where he played only nine games due to a shoulder injury.

Despite his injury, Morant has remained active off the court, especially with his collaboration with Nike. Recently, he and his management team announced the release of the Nike Ja 1 'Reverse Scratch' sneakers.

Highlighting the inspiration behind these shoes, Nike stated:

"Ja Morant became the superstar he is today by repeatedly sinking jumpers on crooked rims, jumping on tractor tires and dribbling through sun-stained traffic cones in steamy South Carolina summers. The Ja 1 is a testament to his rise."

The sneakers feature Air Zoom cushioning, designed to support high-speed movements without sacrificing comfort, paying homage to Morant’s favorite dunk and his heritage.

The Grizzlies have had a quiet offseason in the free agency market, focusing instead on internal improvements. Ja Morant also served a 25-game suspension following a second gun-related incident. His return for nine games was cut short by a shoulder injury.