Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s Meteoric Rise Casts Shadow Over Ja Morant, Sparking Fierce Debate on an NBA Career Stolen by Stardom

In professional sports, careers often hinge on moments—an injury, a decision, a scandal, or a breakthrough performance. Rarely, however, do we see two careers so intertwined that one player’s fall seems to directly fuel another’s rise. Over the past three years, the NBA has witnessed exactly that.

Ja Morant, once hailed as the future face of the league, has seen his trajectory collapse under the weight of controversy and inconsistency. Meanwhile, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has ascended from relative obscurity to superstardom, claiming the spotlight that once seemed destined for Morant.

This is the story of how Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, through discipline, mentorship, and relentless improvement, effectively inherited the career path Ja Morant was supposed to own.

Ja Morant: The Meteoric Rise

It wasn’t long ago that Ja Morant was the NBA’s most electrifying young star. Drafted second overall in 2019, Morant quickly established himself as a highlight machine. His athleticism was jaw-dropping—jetpacks for legs, fearless drives to the rim, and dunks that defied gravity.

By 2021, Morant had already led the Memphis Grizzlies to a play-in victory over Steph Curry’s Golden State Warriors, keeping Curry out of the playoffs. In 2022, Memphis finished second in the Western Conference, a stunning leap for a team that had been a lottery afterthought.

Morant wasn’t just producing numbers; he was changing the culture. His swagger, confidence, and relentless attacking style gave the Grizzlies an identity: loud, fearless, defiant. He averaged 27 points per game by his third season, earned All-NBA honors, and became a fixture in commercials and headlines.

At just 22 years old, Morant looked like a blend of prime Derrick Rose and Russell Westbrook. He was everywhere—top 10 in jersey sales, a rising face of the league, and seemingly untouchable.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: The Quiet Background

While Morant was soaring, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was grinding in relative obscurity. Drafted in 2018, Shai showed promise but played for an Oklahoma City Thunder team deep in rebuild mode.

By 2022, Shai was averaging around 20 points per game, efficient but overlooked. The Thunder were near the bottom of the West, remembered more for their mountain of draft picks than their on-court product.

To most fans, Shai was just another good scorer on a bad team. He had signed a max contract, but expectations were muted. Few believed he could become a franchise cornerstone, let alone a face of the league.

The Turning Point: Morant’s Collapse

Everything changed in 2023. Morant, fresh off a 49-point performance early in the season, looked poised to cement his superstar status. But off-court incidents derailed everything.

Reports surfaced of altercations—a 17-year-old at a pickup game, a mall security guard, an incident involving the Pacers. Then came the viral Instagram videos of Morant holding a firearm, twice.

The NBA suspended him for 25 games. Sponsors backed away. Parents stopped calling him a role model. He missed the 65-game requirement for awards and lost $40 million in potential earnings.

Worse, he began losing the locker room. The leadership he once carried slipped away. The Grizzlies, once built around his energy, started fracturing. Dylan Brooks departed, Desmond Bane was traded, and the team’s defensive anchor regressed.

Morant’s numbers fell. His scoring dropped from 27 to 17 points per game. His efficiency dipped below rookie levels. He still lacked a consistent outside shot, and his high-flying style began to look unsustainable.

The Grizzlies were no longer his team. Trade rumors swirled. Every appearance felt sad, like watching a player who knew his window had closed.

Shai’s Rise

While Morant spiraled, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander thrived. He poured himself into improvement, hiring specialist trainers, skill coaches, and efficiency experts. He refined his shot selection, footwork, and counters.

By 2023, Shai was averaging 31 points per game. He earned All-NBA honors, taking the spot many assumed belonged to Morant. The media attention shifted. Shai became one of the league’s elite scorers, a calm leader, and a model professional off the court.

The Thunder, once irrelevant, began to rise with him. Their young roster coalesced around Shai’s steady leadership. By 2025, he had won an MVP, a Finals MVP, and a championship. At 27, he was entering his prime with a team built to dominate for years.

Shai wasn’t just a star. He was one of the faces of the league.

Mentorship Matters

The contrast between Morant and Shai highlights a critical factor: mentorship.

Morant entered Memphis with no veteran superstar to guide him. He was handed the keys to the franchise immediately, given millions, and thrust into the spotlight. His athleticism allowed him to dominate early without discipline or structure. The hype raised him, but it also consumed him.

Shai’s path was different. Early in his career, he played alongside Chris Paul, one of the greatest point guards in NBA history. Paul mentored him, teaching not just skills but how to think the game, lead a team, manage responsibility, and take care of his body.

To this day, Shai credits Paul for shaping his career. That guidance gave him the foundation to handle fame, pressure, and expectations.

The Aftermath

Today, Morant insists he never wanted to be the face of the league. It’s a stark contrast to his earlier bravado, when he claimed he could beat Michael Jordan one-on-one. His narrative has shifted from future superstar to cautionary tale.

Shai, meanwhile, embodies the blueprint of modern stardom: disciplined, efficient, humble, and relentless. He has become everything Morant was supposed to be.

Conclusion: Two Paths, Two Lessons

The NBA has always been a league of stars, but the stories of Ja Morant and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander remind us that talent alone is not enough.

Morant’s fall shows the cost of losing yourself to hype and poor decisions. Shai’s rise shows the power of preparation, mentorship, and discipline.

In the end, the life Morant was supposed to have became Shai’s. And the league is better for it.