Ja Morant to visit Manila for first time

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NBA All-Star Ja Morant says he hopes to ‘learn new cultures through hoops’ as he swings by Asia, with the Philippines as his last stop

MANILA, Philippines – High-flying Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant is set to visit the Philippines for the first time as part of his Make Them Watch tour on August 2.

The two-time NBA All-Star looks to engage with young Filipino basketball aspirants and immerse in local culture, the global sports brand Nike announced on Thursday, July 3.

Several local high school basketball players will be invited to attend his Manila training camp, with Morant set to participate in an exhibition game later in the day.

“Basketball is all about work and creativity — putting in that grind but also playing with your own style,” Morant said in a statement.

Morant will kick things off in Augusta, Georgia on July 18, where he will attend the Nike Peach Jam, the brand’s premier Elite Youth Basketball League (EYBL) tournament.

The 2020 NBA Rookie of the Year will then head to New York on July 22 to attend Nike’s annual NY vs NY tournament before flying to China, where he will host clinics and training opportunities from July 25 to 30.

In Tokyo, Morant will interact with Japanese fans and athletes alike in a one-day affair on July 31.

“I’m excited to pull up and share a piece of my journey with the next generation of hoopers around the world, and I also want to check how basketball is played in their own communities,” said Morant.

“Getting to learn new cultures through hoops is a unique opportunity, and I’m hyped about that.”

Morant played 50 games last season, averaging 23.2 points, 7.3 assists, and 4.1 rebounds.

The Grizzlies made the playoffs as the eighth seed, eventually yielding to NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder in a first-round sweep. – Rappler.com