Murray State University to Unveil Statue Honoring College Sensation Ja Morant

Murray State University to Unveil Statue Honoring College Sensation Ja Morant

MURRAY, KY — In a move that cements his legacy as one of the greatest players in program history, Murray State University has announced plans to unveil a statue of NBA star and former Racer Ja Morant outside the university’s basketball arena.

The bronze statue, set to be placed at the entrance of the CFSB Center, will pay tribute to Morant’s electrifying collegiate career from 2017 to 2019. During his two seasons at Murray State, Morant captivated college basketball fans with his high-flying dunks, dazzling court vision, and relentless competitiveness. He became a household name in 2019 when he recorded a triple-double in the NCAA Tournament against Marquette — a rare feat that catapulted him into national stardom.

University officials say the statue represents more than just Morant’s on-court heroics.

“Ja brought a new level of energy and excitement to Murray State,” said athletic director Nico Yantko. “He carried himself with humility, inspired a generation of young athletes, and showed the nation what Racer basketball is all about. This statue is a tribute to that legacy and the pride he brought to our community.”

Morant, who was drafted second overall by the Memphis Grizzlies in the 2019 NBA Draft, expressed his gratitude in a statement.

“Murray State believed in me when nobody else did,” Morant said. “I’m honored and thankful for this recognition. Murray will always be home.”

The unveiling ceremony is scheduled for later this year and is expected to draw fans, alumni, and current NBA players who have followed Morant’s meteoric rise. The statue will depict Morant in his signature soaring dunk pose — a symbol of the explosiveness that made him a must-watch talent in college hoops.

For many at Murray State, the monument is a permanent reminder of a golden era in Racer basketball, led by a once-in-a-generation athlete who turned dreams into highlight reels and left a legacy that will stand for decades to come.

5-Star College Basketball Recruit Makes Major Duke Statement

Jordan Smith might only be a junior, but the five-star shooting guard is already drawing blue blood attention—and Duke may be rising to the top.

Smith, a 6-foot-2, 200-pound prospect out of Paul VI Catholic in Fairfax, Virginia, is the No. 6 overall player in the 2026 class and the top-ranked shooting guard, according to 247Sports.

He stars for Team Takeover on the Nike EYBL circuit and has quickly become one of the most sought-after players in the country.

In a recent interview with 247Sports’ Dushawn London, Smith made it clear that Duke is making a strong impression.

“I really like Duke and how they’re changing the program around,” Smith said. “The coaches always treated me like family when I went up to visit them. It was really fun. I saw my teammates, and it was a good vibe with them.”

While the Blue Devils remain a perennial force in college hoops, building genuine relationships on the recruiting trail is what helps them stay ahead under Jon Scheyer.

Smith’s emphasis on feeling like “family” echoes what many past Duke stars have cited as a reason for committing.

Although Smith has yet to lock in any official visits, he’s eyeing several top programs.

“Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisville, Georgetown, Duke, and Syracuse are some of the schools recruiting me the hardest right now,” he said.

Smith’s recruitment is expected to ramp up throughout the summer as college staffs evaluate talent during the live periods, but with his early praise for Duke and strong Nike EYBL ties, the Blue Devils look to be in a favorable position.

Smith’s decision is far from imminent, but Duke is clearly a program to watch closely in his recruitment.

BREAKING: He’s Back! Maliq Brown Stuns fans with Senior Season

He’s Back with the Blue Devils! Maliq Brown Shocks College Hoops World with Stunning Return to Duke—ACC Rivals Officially on Alert

In a stunning twist few saw coming, Maliq Brown has announced he will return for his senior season—with the Duke Blue Devils. The versatile forward, who entered the transfer portal after a strong junior year at Syracuse, has officially committed to Duke, sending shockwaves through the college basketball landscape and sending a clear message to the ACC: the Blue Devils are loading up.

Brown made his announcement via a sleek video posted to social media, featuring clips of Cameron Indoor Stadium and a simple caption: “Back in blue. Let’s finish this.” Within minutes, the post had gone viral, with Duke fans erupting across platforms and analysts calling it one of the biggest portal additions of the offseason.

After averaging 9.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.8 steals per game, Brown became one of the most sought-after names in the portal—thanks to his elite defensive instincts, physical toughness, and ability to guard multiple positions. Now, with his decision to join Jon Scheyer’s squad, Duke adds a battle-tested, high-IQ veteran presence to its already elite roster.

“I chose Duke because I want to win at the highest level,” Brown said in a follow-up interview. “This is a championship culture. I’m ready to embrace the grind, the pressure, and the brotherhood. I’m all in.”

Head coach Jon Scheyer praised the addition, calling Brown “a game-changer” on both ends of the floor. “Maliq brings toughness, maturity, and leadership. He plays with edge, and he plays to win. He’s exactly what we need to take the next step this season.”

For Duke, already loaded with five-star talent and incoming freshmen, Brown’s arrival fills a key need—a proven, defensive-minded forward who can anchor the interior and bring a veteran mindset to a young, hungry team. His experience and versatility are expected to be invaluable as the Blue Devils gear up for a deep tournament run.

The message is clear: with Maliq Brown in Durham, Duke isn’t just reloading—they’re coming for everything.

The countdown to tip-off begins now. And with Brown back in blue, the rest of the ACC has officially been put on notice.

Miami (OH)’s Reece Potter commits to Kentucky from NCAA Transfer Portal

Reece Potter went two and a half hours north to begin his collegiate career at Miami (OH). Now, after two seasons as an undergraduate there, he will be return to his Old Kentucky Home.

Potter has committed to Kentucky from the NCAA Transfer Portal on Monday per On3’s Joe Tipton. That will bring him back home to the bluegrass as a native of Lexington.

This was a quick commitment for Potter, who entered the portal back at the opening of the window on March 24th, after beginning to hear from Kentucky, namely Cody Fueger, per reports coming out of this weekend. During that recruitment, he heard from other programs like North Carolina, Washington, UConn, and Louisville as well as California, Wisconsin, Dayton, and New Mexico State.

Potter, a 7’1″ center, appeared in 56 games, mostly as a reserve, through two years at Miami (OH). He averaged 6.3 points (45.4% FG, 39.8% 3PT), 3.4 rebounds, and 1.1 assists while with the Redhawks. He improved most of those stats as a sophomore with him now having two seasons of eligibility to continue that development at UK.

Potter played his high school basketball at Lexington Catholic, which is just ten or fifteen minutes off campus and from Rupp Arena, where he put up 17.9 points and 8.7 rebounds. He originally committed to Xavier before a coaching change that led him to Miami (OH) over other offers like Western Kentucky, Indiana State, and Saint Louis.

Kentucky now has what is likely one of their final additions, if not the last piece, for next season’s roster for their second year under Mark Pope. The Wildcats are already returning a core of Brandon Garrison, Collin Chandler, and Trent Noah while they await the draft decision of Otega Oweh. They’re then bringing in a pair of four-star, in-state freshman in Jasper Johnson and Malachi Moreno, an international prospect from Croatia in Andrija Jelavic, and the top class in the portal currently per On3 with six additions now with Jayden Quaintance (Arizona State),
Mouhamad Dioubate (Alabama), Jaland Lowe (Pittsburgh), Kam Williams (Tulane), and Denzel Aberdeen (Florida).

Pending Oweh’s decision to return to college or go pro, Kentucky is probably nearly, if not already, done with their roster for ’25-’25. That’s with Potter, the hometown transfer, taking a spot in Lexington with his commitment from the portal today

BREAKING: SHOCKING as Kentucky Guard Travis Perry commits to Ole Miss

The BBN has been following closely to see where transfer guard Travis Perry will play his college basketball next season.

After entering his name into the transfer portal during the final hours of the spring window, Kentucky Wildcats fans now know where Perry will play his basketball next season.

According to a report by Joe Tipton of On3, Perry has committed to Chris Beard and the Ole Miss Rebels. He was also being recruited by Maryland and Vanderbilt, among others.

Perry, a 6-foot-1 and 188-pound guard from Eddyville, is the state’s all-time leading scorer in high school basketball. He showcased some of that scoring this season for the Cats as he was thrust into starting roles with the injuries to the roster this season.

Now, Perry will head to Oxford, where Coach Beard finally lands the Lyon County legend. With plenty of open roster spots and playing time available, the fit makes sense for Perry and the Rebels. If he can improve his defense, you have to imagine he could become a staple in Oxford for Ole Miss basketball.

Perry will return to Rupp Arena next season wearing navy and red. I’m sure we can all agree that is going to be too weird to see.

Once a Wildcat, always a Wildcat. Best of luck to Travis in Oxford!