Grizzlies’ Ja Morant items younger fan gear after her autographed basketball was stolen

An 11-year-old Memphis Grizzlies fan had an thrilling night, days after her autographed basketball was reportedly stolen. 

Grizzlies star Ja Morant gifted Ellie Hughes a pair of his game-worn footwear and an autographed jersey following a 135-129 win over the San Antonio Spurs Wednesday evening. 

Ja Morant, #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies, autographs his sneakers for a fan after the sport in opposition to the San Antonio Spurs on January 11, 2023, at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. 
(Joe Murphy/NBAE through Getty Images)

Hughes reportedly had her autographed basketball stolen Monday evening through the Grizzlies’ first sport of a home-and-home collection with San Antonio. 

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The younger lady had been amassing autographs of Grizzlies gamers on the basketball since she was 5 years previous, in accordance with Action News 5 in Memphis.

After listening to in regards to the incident, Morant reached out to the household and invited Hughes to Wednesday’s sport, which is when he showered her with items. 

“It’s one thing I just about like to do,” Morant stated of his heat gesture. “You contact someone’s coronary heart like that. A giant fan of the Grizzlies for years. It’s moments like that imply essentially the most to them. Something they’ll always remember.”

Ja Morant, #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies, grabs a rebound through the first half in opposition to the San Antonio Spurs at FedExForum on January 11, 2023, in Memphis, Tennessee. 
(Justin Ford/Getty Images)

Morant additionally placed on a present for Hughes through the sport, scoring 38 factors on 14-25 taking pictures, including San Antonio large man Jakob Poeltl to a poster within the course of. 

“He was enormous for us,” Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins stated of Morant. “When he will get to his spots, and he performs at that degree, it’s actually vital to us.”

Ja Morant, #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies, is interviewed after the sport in opposition to the San Antonio Spurs on January 11, 2023, at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. 
(Joe Murphy/NBAE through Getty Images)

Memphis improved to 28-13 with the win. 

The Associated Press contributed to this report.