By Nate Fisher

Ja Morant, who is 7th grader Latarus Johnson’s favorite basketball player, almost missed out on recruitment by the NCAA. Despite receiving a three-time title of All-Region MVP while playing at Crestwood High School in South Carolina, recruiters left him unranked. In 2016, Murray State assistant coach James Kane was looking for something to eat at a basketball camp after watching another hopeful recruit play when he stumbled on Morant playing a three-on-three in a different gym. Kane contacted head coach Matt McMahon and told him what he saw, and Morant was soon offered a scholarship to Murray State, to which his father remarked, “Every parent wants their child to play at a big-time program, but what I realized is, don’t go where you want to be, go to where they want you.”

Morant’s story reminds us that we never have to settle for what others plan, or refuse to plan, for us. The expression “Don’t set your sights too high” is often repeated by those who have given up on dreaming themselves. In a healthy community, personal and professional development opportunities are many and duly advertised to all members.

Latarus wants to attend Murray State, much like his basketball hero Morant. He lives and breathes the sport. When things get tough, or if Latarus is in a bad mood, he turns to the hoop and his friends to help him clear his head. When he’s not physically shooting and driving, he’s doing it digitally by playing NBA 2K, absorbing all the offensive and defensive possibilities. He’d love nothing more than to be picked up for a basketball scholarship and go on to study nursing.

Of course, there’s no factory system to create more Ja Morants, nor should there be. However, there are countless opportunities throughout any given day for older community leaders to provide students with a framework for being an ideal player, student, family member, and friend. Morant received his big break by chance, but he sat on the shoulders of his community long before that, and those morsels of personal development made him the powerhouse player he is today.

Latarus has already tapped into the wealth of support that family and community can offer. He and his twin brother Gregory, who is three minutes older, already make the best out of the uncanny connection between twins that we hear so much about in pop culture. “We think the same in basketball, same in baseball and all of our sports,” Latarus told us, “[In baseball,] I can tell when he’s finna throw the ball to me, cause he’s catcher. If somebody steals, I can tell so I can be ready.” He admits playing against his brother on the court is difficult, as “his defense is crazy.”

He and Gregory also share a loss. Their uncle passed a year ago, and he faithfully attended their games. Latarus says that if he had the ability, he’d love nothing more than to see his uncle “one more time.” It’s not a stretch to imagine that his uncle might have similar advice to that of Ja Morant’s father, to “go to where they want you.” For students like Latarus, the best thing a community can do is point them in the direction of where that want becomes a seed in a forest of opportunity and success.