Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant made one little girl’s day.
Earlier in the week, “Wake Up Memphis” shared the heartbreaking story of 11-year-old girl Ellie Hughes from Arkansas, whose autographed basketball was suddenly stolen during Monday’s game.
Click here to download the free KWAM News APP for breaking news coverage, traffic reports and severe weather alerts.It wasn’t just any autographed ball either. She’s had the ball since she was five and it was filled with six years worth of players’ signatures.
Ellie has also been to every home game with her grandpa and that basketball since. When her basketball was taken this week, Morant noticed and knew he had to do something about it.
do anybody know the family info? https://t.co/mS4JCNKaZf
— Ja Morant (@JaMorant) January 11, 2023
To her surprise, Morant surprised Ellie and her dad with court-side seats to Wednesday night’s game against the Spurs.
“What happened to them on social media, I just felt terrible,” Morant said in Thursday’s post-game press conference. “To have that taken away from her, I felt like it was unacceptable.”
Yay Ellie!! Grizzlies star @JaMorant gifted her and her dad front row seats to tonight’s game, a signed jersey AND some JA 1’s! #BigMemphis @WMurphyNews has more on this story at 10!! https://t.co/Iw5wyqrEH5
— Bria Bolden (@boldenbria) January 12, 2023
That wasn’t all, however, as he had a little more up his sleeve after the game. Morant made sure to leave Ellie with something else she would never forget.
He gifted her his game-worn and signed jersey and his pair of signed and unreleased Ja 1’s. Ellie was absolutely speechless as all she do was smile in disbelief.
Ellie doesn't have her basketball, but Ja Morant just gave her a moment she'll never forget!
(Along with a signed jersey and signed Ja-1's)
Awesome job from the Grizzlies making this right. pic.twitter.com/thDb32UGxl
— Clayton Collier (@ClaytonJCollier) January 12, 2023
The best part of it all, Morant put on a show for her and Memphis as the Grizzlies beat the Spurs in a 135-129 thriller for their eighth straight victory.
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