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Sumter star expected to be picked high in NBA Draft

Sumter native and Crestwood high star Ja Morant is set to go in the top three in this year's NBA Draft

SUMTER, S.C. — The NBA Draft is two days away and two players from South Carolina are set to go number one and number two.

Sumter native and Crestwood high star Ja Morant is set to go number two overall to the Memphis Grizzlies.

RELATED: Ja Morant will be an early participant in the NBA Draft

Crestwood Athletic director Dwayne Kent-Edwards has worked at the school for more than 20 years, serving as an assistant and Head Basketball Coach before taking over as AD in 2015.

He says Morant is a once in a generation player and man.

“Skill-wise and talent-wise he’s as good as anyone that I have ever seen," Edwards says. "Pass first then look for his shot that’s Ja Morant good kid to coach very humble, very respectful.”

RELATED: Crestwood athletics director on the latest Sumter County product to be NBA bound

It was at Crestwood High School where Ja Morant became a South Carolina high school legend. In his final two seasons with the Knights, Morant averaged 27 PPG, 8 RPGand 8 APG and he also became the schools all time leading scorer. 

“One thing about Morant is that he is an unselfish player. " Edwards says,  "People look at him and see that he can dunk the ball and shoot the ball but his greatest attribute is making his teammates better.”

RELATED: Former Crestwood star will turn pro

But even with his success, Morant didn’t get much attention from big-name schools and he ended up signing with Murray State.

“It was kind of a bittersweet moment but in the end it made him a better player and he wanted to make a point that he had game.” Edwards said. 

And that point was proven.

In his sophomore season, Morant became the first player in NCAA history to average 20 points and 10 assists per game in a season which Edwards says put the entire nation on notice.

RELATED: College Basketball Awards Ceremony features Ja and Zion

“It was just like Ja Morant was playing basketball right here at Crestwood high school but he was playing a lot faster and a lot better," Edwards says. "He had a goal and he made it work, if you try to doubt him he will do everything to prove you wrong.”

Morant is set to go in the top three right behind Spartanburg native Zion Williamson.

RELATED: Zion is ready for his role as the face of the New Orleans Pelican franchise

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