Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant was named the 2019-20 NBA Rookie of the Year on Thursday. Morant was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft out of Murray State. He collected 99 out of a possible 100 first-place votes to capture the award. The 21-year-old finished with 498 points, well ahead of Miami Heat guard Kendrick Nunn (204 points) and New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (140 points).
Morant led all qualifying rookies in points (17.6) and assists (6.9) per game this season and shot 49% from the field. He is the second player in Grizzlies history to win the league’s ROTY award, joining Pau Gasol in 2002.
