Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant has just received the highest honor.
What can be better than winning NBA Rookie of the Year? How about getting a zoo animal named after you.
The Memphis Zoo announced Thursday that its newest giraffe would be named "Ja Raffe" in honor of Morant, who averaged 17.8 points per game in his rookie season. The giraffe calf, born Nov. 10, is a reticulated giraffe and one of seven giraffes in the herd at the Memphis Zoo.
We have some new hooves on the African Veldt. His name is Ja Raffe to celebrate @memgrizz's @JaMorant winning @NBA Rookie of the year. Read more in our latest ZooNews Blog. #memphiszoo #GrindCity #giraffe @zoos_aquariums #babyanimal pic.twitter.com/nwPK8olK9x
— Memphis Zoo (@MemphisZoo) November 19, 2020
"The Memphis Zoo is a huge fan of the Memphis Grizzlies. ... We wanted to show our support and congratulate Ja for his NBA Rookie of the Year," the Memphis Zoo's Amanda Moses told ESPN.
Morant has already deemed the giraffe to be a "legend."
"Ja"raffe was born a legend ‼️🦒
— Ja Morant (@JaMorant) November 19, 2020
Niklas and Angela Kate, the parents of the baby giraffe, could not be reached for comment.