Grizzlies guard Ja Morant shared an update on the status of his right shoulder while conducting his youth basketball camp Saturday afternoon, writes DaMichael Cole of The Memphis Commercial Appeal. Morant underwent season-ending surgery in January to fix a labral tear in the shoulder. He is expecting to receive medical clearance to resume basketball activities within the next two weeks.
“I hate being around basketball and not being able to play,” Morant said. “I don’t got too much longer. I can wait to make sure I’m able to play and be cleared when the season comes.”
Morant was hoping to regain his status as one of the NBA’s best players after a pair of suspensions interrupted his 2022/23 campaign and delayed his ’23/24 debut, but injuries got in the way. The two-time All-Star and former Most Improved Player was limited to just nine games before the shoulder problem brought his season to an end. He was gratified by the response for his youth camp, which is the first one he’s held since his legal issues became public.
“A camp like this, the turnout made it better to show how much support I still have and people are still fans of me,” Morant said. “It’s just one of those moments where you kind of look at yourself and be proud.”
There’s more from the Southwest Division:
- The mid-level exception could be enough for the Mavericks to keep Derrick Jones Jr., who is the only rotation member headed for free agency this summer, suggests Mark Deeks of HoopsHype. Deeks notes that Jones played a valuable role for Dallas on its way to the NBA Finals, but adds that he probably doesn’t shoot well enough to get an offer in the neighborhood of the two-year, $45MM contract that Bruce Brown landed last summer. The Mavs’ only other free agent of note is veteran forward Markieff Morris, and Deeks believes he would be willing to return on another partially guaranteed minimum deal.
- Spurs phenom Victor Wembanyama is getting offseason dribbling lessons from former NBA guard Jamal Crawford, according to Nick Moyle of The San Antonio Express-News. Crawford said they began talking in January when Wembanyama appeared on TNT’s pregame show, where Crawford served as an analyst. Crawford taught him a few moves at the Rising Stars Challenge in February, and they decided the lessons should continue in the offseason. “It was funny, when I started showing him all the other rookies and sophomores on the court (gave us) all their attention, came over, stopped shooting,” Crawford recalled. “So I’m like, OK, let’s just keep this at surface level because everybody’s watching right now.”
- Spurs forward Jeremy Sochan has returned from arthroscopic ankle surgery and is training with the Polish national team for an upcoming Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Spain, Moyle adds in a separate story. Poland is in Group B with the Bahamas and Finland, while Group A consists of Spain, Angola and Lebanon. The tournament will run from July 2-7, with the winner claiming one of four remaining spots in the Olympics.
Wembanyama taking dribble lessons from Crawford? Now I wanna see him break out a behind the back hesi double crossover.
Wemby has handles big time and will mature into an elite offense run thru and passer like Jocic.
Sochan is a solid 2way talent. Just his position is SF. He’s perfect there imo. What Spurs could use is a physical 4 who can shoot. Next to Wembanyama
I think sochan is more of a 4 bc of his lack of spacing. Could probably bulk up a little though
6’8″ 230 is plenty big for a PF.
For you maybe. I’ll take 6’ 8” 245 lbs greatest SF in history of game (Bron). Size
Look at all the best SFs in today’s game. Positional size is what separates them.
Hes 20 yrs old. His shooting has improved. Hes more a D guy like OG. And just like OG. His offense is getting better all the time. He’s a smart player. Only his 3rd yr coming. Positional size will always get me. Sochan.
At #9 the Grizz will get a solid player. With Ja coming back. Hopefully more mature Ja. Grizz should have a good yr.