MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — After a young Memphis Grizzlies fan stole his prized basketball, Ja Morant stepped in to help ease the fear.
Ellie Hughes, an 11-year-old Grizzlies fan, was trying to get Morant’s attention for an autograph during Monday’s game against San Antonio when two people slipped her special ball.
Hughes of Forrest City, Arkansas, has been collecting signatures from players on the ball for the past six years.
Morant learned about his plight through social media and contacted his family, inviting them to Wednesday night’s rematch against the Spurs and then handing him his threadbare shirt and Yes 1 Nike boots, which have not yet been made public.
“It’s something I really enjoy doing,” Morant said of his warm gesture. “You touch someone’s heart that way. Been a big Grizzlies fan for years. It’s moments like this that mean the most to them. Something they will never forget.
Morant also put on a showing, scoring 38 points as the Grizzlies held off San Antonio 135–129 for their eighth consecutive win of the season.
The star guard, who missed the previous two games with right thigh pain, was 14 of 25 from the field, including 3 for 5 on 3 points. He also had a right-handed hammer dunk over Spurs center Jakob Poeltl with 3:35 left to help Memphis hold onto their lead.
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