OKC Thunder Prospect Series: Is Ja Morant the next Russell Westbrook?

Awards and Honors:

All awards for the 2018-19 season. Morant was on several lists as a finalist, here is a sampling of the awards he earned the full list can be found here.

• All-OVC – 1st Team
• OVC Player of the Year
• The Bob Cousy Award
• Consensus All-America – 1st Team
• All-OVC Tournament – 1st Team
• OVC Tournament MVP

Pro Comparison:

Kevin O’Connor likens Morant to a skinny John Wall, Donovan Mitchell, or Dennis Smith Jr.

I’m surprised more analysts aren’t comparing Morant to Damian Lillard since they both played at Murray State and possess some similarities in their game. Although Lillard isn’t an in your face type he still is highly competitive and driven to succeed. Morant has that little extra in his demeanor as well. He’s also a speedster much like De’Aaron Fox including his body which looks almost identical to Fox’s frame.

To that end, some cite Russell Westbrook as a comparison given Morant’s explosiveness and overall game skills. Morant himself seems taken with Westbrook. In fact, thinking to recent inductees into the Association you can see the impact Westbrook has on the younger generation of talent. Recalling De’Aaron Fox’s first comments it was Westbrook who he cited as being his favorite and Donovan Mitchell also noted Westbrook.

It makes sense as they were developing their games watching Russ rise up the ranks. And, while many may be equally as impressed with players like Steph Curry or James Harden those two are more noted for shooting than overall point guard skills. I’d argue that matter when it comes to Curry because he does so many things well, but at the same time, I can understand younger players being smitten with Westbrook’s energy and passion as opposed to (still compelling) exhibiting joy in just playing basketball like Steph.