MEMPHIS, Tenn. – After a young Memphis Grizzlies fan had her prized basketball stolen, Ja Morant stepped in to ease the agony.
Ellie Hughes, an 11-year-old Grizzlies fan, was trying to get Morant’s attention for an autograph at Monday’s game against San Antonio when two people stole her special ball.
Hughes, of Forrest City, Arkansas, has been collecting player signatures on the ball for the past six years.
Upon hearing of her plight via social media, Morant reached out to her family, inviting them to Wednesday night’s rematch against Spurs and then giving her his game-worn shirt and Ja 1 Nike boots, which are not yet available to the public were made.
“I love doing that,” Morant said of his warm gesture. “That’s how you touch someone’s heart. A big fan of the Grizzlies for years. Those moments mean the most to them. Something they will never forget.”
Morant also put on a show, scoring 38 points as the Grizzlies defeated San Antonio 135-129 for their eighth straight win of the season.
The star guard, who missed the last two games with a right thigh pain, was 14 of 25 from the field, including 3 for 5 with 3 points. He also had a right-handed hammer dunk left over Spurs center Jakob Poeltl with 3:35 to help Memphis maintain their lead.
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