Ja Morant and the Memphis Grizzlies weren’t supposed to be this good, this early. Usually, a team with the league’s second-youngest roster is focused on player development and draft position. They aren’t supposed to challenge title contenders, let alone do so while key players miss time. Yet, the Grizzlies have seemed to press fast forward on their rebuild with an identity built on attacking the basket, pesky defense and getting out in transition.

At the forefront of their emergence has been guard Ja Morant. Arguably the most explosive player in the league on a nightly basis, it’s almost a given that he’ll have a play or two blowing up the next morning. (Even his misses are ridiculous.) Since being taken second overall in the 2019 Draft, his play and leadership has helped pull the franchise from the shadows of the “Grit and Grind” era and into this season’s MVP race.

GQ caught up with the first-time All-Star to discuss what makes this Grizzlies group special, his “see-it-eat-it” approach to his diet, and some of his favorite home cooked staples.

GQ: Like almost every team, you guys haven’t been at full strength for most of the season. You’re the second youngest team in the league, but you guys play the same way on both ends no matter who is in or out of the lineup. You’re around your guys every day and we’re on the outside looking in. What makes this group so special?

Ja Morant: It’s the culture we built here, the relationships we’ve built with each other on and off the court throughout the whole organization. It just allows everyone to play with confidence when you’re out there. We all know what the goal is, what we want to do on the floor and that just makes it easier. No matter who is out or in, you know you’re going to have that same energy and effort from every player on the floor.

During your rookie year, the season was suspended because of Covid. You and your father put together this training camp, where you studied film and put on muscle. When you go back to that moment, how important do you feel that time was for you was?

I can’t say I feel like it was more important than the last offseason I had before this season started. Obviously, that experience made me a better player, but I feel this recent offseason I had has me playing at the level I’m playing at now.

What did you do differently?

I just locked in. Obviously, film is a big part of the development. I worked on shots I normally take during the game and just focused in on gaining some weight. It wasn’t too much different from the last offseason, though. I just felt like I was more locked in after having some years under my belt.

As far as diet goes, what did you have to alter or improve on leaving Murray State and coming to Memphis?

Nothing really different. I’m on a see-it-eat-it diet. It’s just about eating enough. It’s been just about eating more and that was the only thing that I changed.

Was there anything you needed to cut down on?

Honestly, I haven’t had to cut out anything. It was just about getting back to my parents cooking for me rather than being in a college cafeteria.

It’s kind of surreal to hear an athlete of these time being able to function on home cooking. What are some of your favorite meals?

My mom’s spaghetti, lasagna, or her chicken alfredo. My dad’s chicken wings and fries, or barbecue ribs, baked beans, and dirty rice. It depends on my dad or whoever is cooking but it’s always a lot of food.

How do you handle being on the road without the home cooking?

Our team provides us meals after the game so that’s pretty much what I just stick to on the road.

You partnered with Hyperice during your rookie year. How has your knowledge about proper recovery changed since you’ve been in the league?

Just the focus on taking care of my body, knowing I have to be 100 percent when I’m out there to play at a high level. I do all types of recovery. With the Hyperice equipment, I love the Normatec boots and the Hypervolt 2 Pro. I also get massages and focus on stretching—that’s pretty much always what I do now to recover and prepare, after a game or before practice.

I found this old video of these drills your dad used to make you do where you’re jumping onto a tractor tire with a medicine ball. Looking back now, how much did those drills help strengthen your legs and how you’re able to elevate now?

My dad was pretty athletic when he played so I can say some of my athleticism comes from him. As far as jumping on the tires and the other drills I’ve done, they just allowed my legs to get stronger. Obviously, after jumping for a while your legs get tired, but it was about battling through that, continue to jump and get up there. It’s allowed me to get off the floor quicker, be more explosive and it shows when I’m out there on the court.

What’s your gameday routine consists of?

I’ll wake up and get ready for shootaround. I’ll go through shootaround, come back to the hotel after that. The team provides us meals and it depends on what you want to eat. They’ll have breakfast food and a lunch, like pasta. I’ll get back to the room after that, watch some more film. I’ll take a nap, wake up, take a shower, get ready for the game and head to the arena. I’ll eat again before I start my table time and court work, and after the game, I’ll eat again.