Did Ja Morant Exaggerate His Vertical? the Truth Behind the Viral Ishowspeed Stream
By James H. Sterling
To understand why basketball analysts balked at Morant’s stream claim, consider the verified league record books. Standardized combine testing measures both a standing vertical jump (no run-up, flat-footed explosion) and a maximum vertical jump (taking a short approach to gather momentum).
The table below contrasts verified combine leaders, celebrated historical figures, and Morant's documented figures:
| Player | Measurement Setting | Standing Vertical | Max Vertical Leap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Keon Johnson | 2021 NBA Draft Combine (Official Record) | 41.5 inches | 48.0 inches |
| Jericho Sims | 2021 NBA Draft Combine | 34.5 inches | 44.5 inches |
| Hamidou Diallo | 2017 NBA Draft Combine | 34.5 inches | 44.5 inches |
| Michael Jordan | 1984 Univ. of North Carolina Lab Test | 36.0 inches | 42.0, 46.0 inches |
| Ja Morant | 2019 Murray State / Pro Workout (Unofficial) | 34.0 inches (est.) | 44.0 inches |
When Tennessee guard Keon Johnson registered 48.0 inches at the 2021 combine, he broke Kenny Gregory's 20-year-old league record of 45.5 inches. No athlete in combine history has reached 50 inches under regulated measurement conditions using a Vertec apparatus. Even Michael Jordan's widely cited 48-inch vertical jump was largely an estimate; official testing at UNC placed Jordan’s max running jump around 42 inches.
James Sterling reports on renewable energy developments, climate policy, ecological conservation, and green tech innovations around the globe.
