How Trey Draper's Memphis basketball journey came full circle behind a microphone

Trey Draper was sitting along the baseline at FedExForum, doing what he always does at Memphis Grizzlies home games, when the door flung open and paved the way for his still young basketball journey to come full circle.

As a member of NBA superstar Ja Morant’s team of personal trainers, part of Draper's job is to be present and available – to monitor every move Morant makes on the court. During this playoff game at FedExForum, Draper’s running commentary caught the ear of another spectator seated nearby.

“Jonathan Mitchell, who’s the general manager at Channel 5, overheard us talking,” said Draper, whose grandfather, Leonard, is credited with convincing Larry Finch to attend then-Memphis State at a pivotal time in the city’s history.

So, Mitchell, who oversees the broadcast production aspect of every University of Memphis sporting event that airs on ESPN+, approached the 30-year-old Draper — a former Memphis basketball player — with a proposition.

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“He said, ‘I’ve been listening to you for three or four games now,’ Draper recalled. “’I watch you and how you carry yourself. How you break down the game. Would you be interested in doing some television with ESPN?’”

Mitchell’s pitch was a 17-game commitment to provide color analysis for the Memphis women’s basketball team. Draper’s instinct was to jump at the opportunity. Even though he had zero experience behind a microphone, he has always been a charismatic go-getter – never one to shy away from a new or challenging endeavor. After all, he was already accomplished at diversifying his resume. Draper turned a fine career at Mitchell High into a roster spot with the Tigers (2010-14). From there, he transitioned into a career in coaching, first as an assistant at Mitchell, then at IMG Academy for three seasons as part of a staff that won the GEICO national championship in 2019. Then, Draper went to work for Morant full-time.

But, despite Mitchell’s vote of confidence, Draper wasn’t sure he had the time to devote to it. He also doubted whether he had the right stuff, either. That’s where Morant stepped in.

“I was second-guessing myself. And I also told him, ‘If this takes away from you and your development, then I can’t do it,’” Draper said. “He looked me dead in my eye and said, ‘I want you to do it. I want you to go and soar. Go, bro.’ Outside of my family, Ja Morant has been the biggest supporter for me to branch out and try something new.”

Last week, Draper’s new venture took another turn. He was called upon to fill in for Matt Dillon, the longtime color analyst for the Memphis men’s basketball radio broadcast team. Draper was notified less than 48 hours before the Tigers’ home game against VCU that he’d be hitting the radio airwaves for the first time alongside Dave Woloshin.

Draper, who considers himself a perfectionist, went to work immediately.

“I tell people whether I’m training, whether I’m coaching, whether I’m recruiting or working the radio broadcast, I prepare like I have a jersey,” he said after Memphis’ win over VCU, flashing a folder full of notes and stats. “I didn’t sleep at all last night. I went home after the Grizzlies game and watched four VCU games. Then, I woke up at 7 this morning and watched two Memphis games.”

Draper also accompanied the Tigers to central Florida last week, where they went 2-1 at the ESPN Events Invitational, claiming fifth place at the eight-team tournament. He called all three games with Jeff Brightwell. But he’ll never forget calling his first Memphis game inside FedExForum, the same building he played in. The same building he has coached in. The same building he watches his superstar client wow thousands of fans.

He looked at his phone after the Tigers’ win over VCU last week and revealed he had 117 unread text messages. That’s when it hit him.

“It’s just a dream come true,” said Draper. “Basketball unites everyone in the city of Memphis. Like my father and my grandfather, they put so much effort and energy into the Tigers’ program. Just to be able to create my own lane and doing it how I want to do it, but also do it right, it means a lot.”

Reach sports writer Jason Munz at jason.munz@commercialappeal.com or on Twitter @munzly.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: How Trey Draper's Memphis basketball journey has come full circle