ESPN REPORT: Ja Morant Crowned the Greatest of All Time in College Menโs Basketball, Surpassing Doncic, Tatum, and Curry
In a groundbreaking ESPN report that has reignited debates across the sports world, legendary Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant has officially been named the Greatest of All Time (GOAT) in college menโs basketball. The announcement comes after an extensive analytical and fan-based ranking process, in which Morant edged out NBA icons like Luka Doncic of the Los Angeles Lakers, Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics, and Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors.
The selection shocked many fans who expected names like Curry and Doncic โ both of whom had incredible runs in their collegiate or early international careers โ to take the top spot. However, ESPN analysts cited Morantโs electrifying tenure at Murray State, where he averaged 24.5 points, 10 assists, and nearly 6 rebounds in his sophomore year, as a defining period that redefined the modern college point guard role.
Ja Morant became a household name in the 2018โ2019 NCAA season when he led Murray State to the NCAA Tournament and delivered a historic triple-double in the first round against Marquette. That performance, combined with his high-level playmaking and unmatched athleticism, elevated him to national prominence and eventually the No. 2 pick in the 2019 NBA Draft.
While other candidates like Curry dazzled at Davidson and Tatum shined at Duke, ESPN pointed out that Morantโs ability to dominate as both a scorer and facilitator on a mid-major team stood apart. โHe didnโt just elevate his own profile โ he elevated an entire program and reshaped how scouts viewed mid-major prospects,โ the report stated.
Luka Doncic, who never played NCAA basketball but was included in the rankings due to his comparable pre-NBA performance in Europe, finished third, while Tatum came in second. Curry, widely praised for his Cinderella run with Davidson, landed fourth in the final rankings. The fan vote played a significant role, with Morant capturing a massive share due to his underdog story and lasting impact.
Morant himself responded to the honor with humility and gratitude. โIโm blessed to even be mentioned in the same breath as some of these guys,โ he said in a statement. โCollege basketball gave me the platform to chase my dream, and Iโll always be thankful to Murray State for believing in me when no one else did.โ
The ESPN title cements Ja Morantโs legacy not just as an NBA superstar, but as a transformative figure in college basketball history. From under-recruited high school guard to the GOAT of college hoops, Morantโs journey continues to inspire a new generation of athletes chasing greatness from any starting point.
