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Monté Morris
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Monté Morris
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Monté Robert Morris (/ˈmɒnteɪ/ MON-tay;[1] born June 27, 1995) is an American professional basketball player for Olympiacos of the Greek Basketball League (GBL) and the EuroLeague. He played college basketball for the Iowa State Cyclones.

Key Information

Early life

[edit]

Morris was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan and his mother is Latonia Morris. His mother nicknamed him "Man-Man" when he was born.[2] He grew up in Flint, Michigan attending Flint Beecher High School. Morris was childhood friends with future NBA player and later NBA teammate, Kyle Kuzma, as both attended Dailey Elementary School.[3] He was a four-year starter for the Beecher Buccaneers. Morris was a three-time winner of Michigan's Associated Press Class C Player of the Year Award and a three time all-state selection.[4] He led the Buccaneers in scoring, assists, and steals in all four seasons. He led Flint Beecher to back-to-back Class C Michigan state titles in 2012 and 2013. One of the nation's best point guards, Morris won Michigan's Mr. Basketball award in 2013.[5]

He was ranked No. 96[6] in the final Rivals.com national rankings and No. 89 in the Scout.com ratings as well as being a Parade All-American.[7] Morris was recruited to Butler, Illinois, Indiana, Arizona State, Cincinnati, Georgia Tech, USC, and Iowa State which he ultimately committed to.

College recruiting information
Name Hometown School Height Weight Commit date
Monte Morris
G 		Flint, MI Flint Beecher (MI) 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 170 lb (77 kg) Jun 27, 2012 
Recruit ratings: Scout: 4/5 stars   Rivals: 4/5 stars   247Sports: 4/5 stars   ESPN: 4/5 stars   
Overall recruit ranking:    Rivals: 96, 21 (G)    ESPN: 84, 4 (MI), 17 (G)
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, On3, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "Iowa State 2013 Basketball Commitments". Rivals. Retrieved June 14, 2015.
  • "2013 Iowa State Basketball Commits". Scout. Retrieved June 14, 2015.
  • "ESPN". ESPN. Retrieved June 14, 2015.
  • "Scout.com Team Recruiting Rankings". Scout. Retrieved June 14, 2015.
  • "2013 Team Ranking". Rivals. Retrieved June 14, 2015.

College career

[edit]

Freshman season

[edit]

Morris started the season on the bench but worked his way into the starting line-up against the Oklahoma Sooners on February 1, 2014, staying there ever since. Morris averaged 6.8 points, 3.7 assists, and 2.6 rebounds and dished out 134 assists, the third most by any freshman in school history. He shot 84.7 percent (61–72) at the free-throw line, the second-best mark by an ISU freshman, and was the only Big 12 freshman to make at least 25 threes (28–69) and shoot over 40 percent. He scored double figures in 13 games, including all three games in the NCAA tournament. Morris tallied a season-high 15 points in the Cyclones' NCAA Tournament win against NCCU and followed that with 13 against the North Carolina Tar Heels. He dished out five or more assists in 12 games and led all Big 12 freshmen with 46 steals, the fifth most by an ISU rookie. His 1.3 steals per game ranked seventh in the Big 12, and he had an ISU freshman record of 12 assists with no turnovers against West Virginia. He played 52 minutes of turnover-free basketball in ISU's triple-OT win at Oklahoma State and had 10 points and five assists, including the game-winning 3-pointer with 43 seconds left in the third overtime against the Cowboys. He broke the NCAA record and led the nation with a 4.79 assist-to-turnover ratio, including a 6.9 assist-to-turnover ratio in Big 12 play.[8]

Sophomore season

[edit]
Morris in 2016

Morris started all 34 games and averaged 11.9 points, second on the team. He also posted a Big 12-best 5.2 assists and 3.4 rebounds on his way to earning All-Big 12 Second-Team honors. He had second-most assists of any sophomore and 11th-most by any player in school history. Morris was second in the Big 12 in field goal percentage shooting 50.7 percent from the field, had 64 steals, the second-most by a sophomore and tied for the ninth-most by any player in a single season in school history. His 110 steals in the last two seasons were the most by any Big 12 player. His first-career 20-point game came against Texas Tech, he recorded his first double-double and just missed a triple-double with 11 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds against Kansas.[9] He tallied a career-high 24 points and hit a buzzer-beating 17-foot fadeaway to beat Texas in Big 12 quarterfinals.[10] He averaged 15.3 points to earn Big 12 All-Tournament team honors as the Cyclones won the Big 12 tournament for the second consecutive season and he did not commit a turnover in three games at the Big 12 Championship. He led the nation for the second consecutive season with a 4.63 assist-to-turnover ratio and finished season with 176 assists and just 38 turnovers.

Junior season

[edit]

On February 1, 2016, he was named one of 10 finalists for the Bob Cousy Point Guard of the Year Award.[11] He was named to the 35-man midseason watchlist for the Naismith Trophy on February 11.[12]

Senior season

[edit]
Morris competing against Nevada in the NCAA tournament

Morris received preseason recognition on November 2, 2016, as the Associated Press named him to the preseason All-American team.[13] At the end of his senior season, Morris broke the NCAA record assist-to-turnover ratio from 4.79 he set his freshman year to the new record of 5.21.[14] In 2017, Morris led Iowa State to a 5th seed in the NCAA tournament and got into the second round before losing to Purdue.

Professional career

[edit]

Denver Nuggets (2017–2022)

[edit]

Morris was selected in the second round, 51st pick overall by the Denver Nuggets in the 2017 NBA draft. Following the Summer League he signed a two-way contract with the Nuggets. Under the terms of the deal he would split time between the Nuggets and a G League team that would be best designated for him.[15] For Morris, he was assigned to the Rio Grande Valley Vipers of the NBA G League on October 23, 2017.[16] On December 12, 2017, Morris made his NBA debut against the Detroit Pistons. He recorded an assist in three minutes of action. In three games with the Nuggets, he averaged 3.3 points per game. Morris averaged 18.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 6.6 assists per game with Rio Grande Valley.[17]

On December 29, 2020, Morris scored a career-high 24 points in a 125–115 loss to the Sacramento Kings.[18]

On February 16, 2022, Morris scored 13 points, including a game-winning three-point shot as time expired, in a 117–116 win over the Golden State Warriors.[19]

Washington Wizards (2022–2023)

[edit]

On July 6, 2022, Morris was traded, alongside Will Barton, to the Washington Wizards in exchange for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Ish Smith.[20] Morris made his Wizards debut on October 19, recording seven points, six rebounds, six assists and two steals in a 114–107 win over the Indiana Pacers.[21]

Detroit Pistons (2023–2024)

[edit]

On July 6, 2023, Morris was traded to the Detroit Pistons in exchange for a future second-round pick.[22] Due to a lengthy recovery from a quadriceps injury to begin the 2023–24 season, Morris played in just six games for the Pistons before being dealt away at the NBA trade deadline.

Minnesota Timberwolves (2024)

[edit]

On February 8, 2024, Morris was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for Troy Brown Jr., Shake Milton and a 2030 second-round pick.[23]

Phoenix Suns (2024–2025)

[edit]

On July 5, 2024, Morris signed with the Phoenix Suns.[24] He made 45 appearances for the Suns during the 2024–25 NBA season, averaging 5.2 points, 1.5 rebounds, and 1.6 assists.

Indiana Pacers (2025)

[edit]

On September 23, 2025, Morris agreed to a contract with the Indiana Pacers.[25] However, two days later it was announced that the team would not sign Morris due to a calf strain.[26] On November 6, Morris officially signed with the Pacers following the release of Mac McClung.[27] Morris was waived by the Pacers on November 20.[28]

Olympiacos (2025–present)

[edit]

On December 10, 2025, Morris signed with Olympiacos of the Greek Basketball League (GBL) and the EuroLeague until the end of the season.[29]

National team career

[edit]

On March 20, 2021, Morris committed to play for the Nigerian national team as a naturalized player.[30]

Career statistics

[edit]
Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage  3P%  3-point field goal percentage  FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high
 *  Led the league

NBA

[edit]

Regular season

[edit]
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2017–18 Denver 3 0 8.4 .667 .000 1.000 .7 2.3 1.0 .0 3.3
2018–19 Denver 82* 6 24.0 .493 .414 .802 2.4 3.6 .9 .0 10.4
2019–20 Denver 73 12 22.4 .459 .378 .843 1.9 3.5 .8 .2 9.0
2020–21 Denver 47 13 25.5 .481 .381 .795 2.0 3.2 .7 .3 10.2
2021–22 Denver 75 74 29.9 .484 .396 .869 3.0 4.4 .7 .2 12.6
2022–23 Washington 62 61 27.4 .480 .382 .831 3.4 5.3 .7 .2 10.3
2023–24 Detroit 6 0 11.4 .364 .182 .500 2.0 1.3 .2 .2 4.5
Minnesota 27 0 15.1 .417 .424 .706 1.7 2.3 .7 .3 5.1
2024–25 Phoenix 45 0 12.7 .426 .360 .857 1.5 1.6 .4 .1 5.2
2025–26 Indiana 6 0 10.8 .350 .250 .500 1.2 1.5 .2 .2 3.0
Career 426 166 23.2 .473 .388 .824 2.3 3.6 .7 .2 9.4

Playoffs

[edit]
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2019 Denver 14 0 16.0 .384 .000 .692 1.4 2.6 .4 .1 5.4
2020 Denver 19 4 21.4 .496 .300 .824 1.5 2.7 .6 .1 9.1
2021 Denver 10 1 28.6 .431 .400 .724 2.4 5.5 1.0 .2 13.7
2022 Denver 5 5 31.1 .490 .423 .750 2.2 5.4 1.2 .0 14.0
2024 Minnesota 9 0 7.4 .300 .071 1.000 .7 1.0 .2 .1 2.3
Career 57 10 20.0 .440 .301 .767 1.6 3.1 .6 .1 8.3

College

[edit]
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2013–14 Iowa State 36 17 28.1 .430 .406 .847 2.6 3.7 1.3 .2 6.8
2014–15 Iowa State 34 34 33.9 .507 .395 .753 3.4 5.2 1.9 .4 11.9
2015–16 Iowa State 35 35 38.0 .487 .358 .729 3.9 6.9 1.8 .3 13.8
2016–17 Iowa State 35 35 35.3 .465 .378 .802 4.8 6.2 1.5 .3 16.4
Career 140 121 33.8 .476 .381 .780 3.7 5.5 1.6 .3 12.2

References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Monté Morris

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Monté Robert Morris (born June 27, 1995) is an American-Nigerian professional basketball player who plays as a for the of the (NBA). Standing at 6 feet 2 inches (1.88 m) tall and weighing 183 pounds (83 kg), Morris is renowned for his precise ball-handling, efficient three-point shooting, and one of the lowest career turnover percentages in NBA history, at approximately 8.5 percent among players with at least 300 games played. Born in , to Latonia Morris, he developed his skills at Flint Beecher High School, where he was named Michigan Mr. Basketball in 2013 and earned first-team All-American honors after averaging 23.0 points, 8.8 assists, and 6.8 rebounds per game as a senior. Morris then committed to , playing for the Cyclones from 2013 to 2017; as a senior in 2016–17, he averaged 16.4 points, 6.2 assists, and 4.8 rebounds per game while shooting 37.8 percent from three-point range, earning first-team All-Big 12 Conference honors and setting the record for career assist-to-turnover ratio at 5.21. Morris was selected by the Denver Nuggets with the 51st overall pick in the second round of the 2017 NBA draft. He spent his first five professional seasons (2017–2022) with the Nuggets, appearing in 287 games and averaging 9.0 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game while establishing a reputation as a steady backup point guard. In June 2022, he was traded to the Washington Wizards along with Will Barton III in exchange for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Ish Smith. Morris played one season in Washington (2022–23), averaging 10.3 points and 5.1 assists per game, before being traded to the Detroit Pistons in July 2023 for a 2027 second-round pick. During the 2023–24 season with Detroit, he appeared in 34 games before being traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves on February 7, 2024, for Shake Milton, Troy Brown Jr., and a second-round pick. Morris signed a one-year contract with the Phoenix Suns in July 2024, where he averaged 5.2 points, 1.5 rebounds, and 1.6 assists over 45 games in the 2024–25 season. After becoming a free agent following the 2024–25 season, he signed with the Indiana Pacers on November 6, 2025, adding veteran depth to their backcourt. Through 425 regular-season games as of November 2025, Morris has averaged 9.6 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game while maintaining a career 38.9 percent three-point shooting rate.

Early life

Family and childhood

Monté Robert Morris was born on June 27, 1995, in . He was raised by his single mother, Latonia Morris, as an without his father present, which instilled in him a sense of independence and responsibility from a young age. Latonia, who had a background in herself, affectionately nicknamed her son "Man-Man" shortly after his birth, a moniker that stuck with him through childhood. The family relocated to , where Morris grew up amid the city's economic hardships and the ongoing water crisis that drew national attention starting in 2014, though the underlying challenges of and limited resources shaped daily life in the community well before then. Latonia provided structure and guidance as a regional manager, emphasizing and perseverance, which profoundly influenced Morris's character development outside of sports.

High school career

Monté Morris attended Flint Beecher High School in , where he developed into one of the state's premier basketball talents. As a four-year starter for the Beecher Buccaneers, Morris led the team in scoring, assists, and steals throughout his high school career, showcasing his versatility as a . Under his leadership, Beecher advanced to the Class C state semifinals in each of his four seasons, demonstrating consistent postseason success. Morris guided to back-to-back Class C state championships in 2012 and 2013, capping an undefeated 26-0 season in the latter year. His statistical contributions evolved markedly across seasons: as a in 2010–11, he averaged 18.1 points, 6.6 assists, and 5.9 rebounds per game; as a junior in 2011–12, he posted 19.5 points and 4.3 assists; and in his senior year of 2012–13, he elevated to 23 points, 10.3 assists, 5 rebounds, and a league-leading 6 steals per game while earning Class C Player of the Year honors for the third consecutive season. Individually, Morris was a three-time all-state selection and capped his high school tenure by winning the 2013 Michigan Mr. Basketball award, recognizing him as the top senior player in the state. Highly recruited nationally, he ranked as the No. 4 player in and No. 17 prospect by , ultimately committing to on June 27, 2012, after considering offers from programs including and . In recognition of his legacy, Beecher retired Morris's No. 11 jersey on December 1, 2023, making him the fifth athlete in school history to receive the honor.

College career

Freshman season

Monté Morris arrived at as a highly touted recruit, having earned three Associated Press Class C Player of the Year awards during his high school career at Beecher High School, where expectations were high for the Flint native to contribute immediately as a . However, transitioning from high school stardom to the college level presented significant adjustment challenges, particularly in adapting to the faster pace, physicality, and depth of Division I basketball; Morris initially came off the bench behind senior , learning to read defenses more deliberately rather than relying on raw athleticism. This bench role tested his patience, as he focused on refining his decision-making and defensive positioning during limited minutes early in the season. By midseason, Morris earned a starting position in 17 of the Cyclones' 36 games, averaging 28.1 minutes per game while posting 6.8 points, 3.7 assists, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.3 steals per game; his assist-to-turnover ratio of 4.79 ranked first nationally among freshmen, showcasing his poise with 28 turnovers all season. His shooting efficiency was notable at 43.0% from the field and 40.6% from three-point range, contributing to Iowa State's high-octane offense that ranked fifth nationally in scoring at 83.0 points per game. Under head coach Fred Hoiberg, the 2013–14 Iowa State Cyclones enjoyed a breakout campaign, finishing 28–8 overall and 11–7 in Big 12 play to secure third place and a No. 3 seed in the NCAA Tournament, where they advanced to the Sweet 16 before falling to North Carolina. Key moments for Morris included scoring his first career 15 points in the NCAA first-round victory over North Carolina Central on March 21, 2014, where he added four assists and two steals in 34 minutes, highlighting his growing defensive impact with quick hands and low-error play. His contributions helped stabilize the backcourt during a season defined by Hoiberg's up-tempo style, which emphasized ball movement and transition scoring.

Sophomore season

During his sophomore season in 2014–15, Monté Morris solidified his role as the starting for the , appearing in and starting all 34 games while overcoming the limited minutes he saw as a reserve. He averaged 11.9 points, 5.2 assists, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.9 steals per game, demonstrating marked growth in his ball-handling efficiency with a nation-leading 4.63 assist-to-turnover ratio on 176 assists and 38 turnovers. Morris's defensive prowess also advanced noticeably, as he disrupted passing lanes and guarded opposing guards tenaciously, which contributed to his recognition on the All-Big 12 Second Team by the conference coaches. His steady presence helped stabilize the backcourt alongside teammate , allowing Iowa State to maintain a fast-paced, efficient offense under coach . The Cyclones achieved a 25–9 overall record, finishing second in the Big 12 with a 12–6 conference mark before claiming the Big 12 Tournament title with victories over Oklahoma State, , and to secure a No. 3 seed in the NCAA Tournament's South Region. Their tournament run ended abruptly in the first round with a 60–59 upset loss to 14th-seeded UAB in . Morris delivered key performances against ranked opponents, including 11 points, 10 assists, and 7 rebounds in an 86–81 upset win over then-No. 4 on January 17, facilitating Iowa State's efficient ball movement. He also tallied 11 points, 7 rebounds, and 10 assists—tying his career high—in another victory over later in the season, underscoring his growing command against elite competition. In the Big 12 Tournament semifinal against , Morris erupted for 18 points, 6 assists, and a career-high-tying 5 steals, capping the game with a buzzer-beating 17-foot jumper in a 69–67 thriller.

Junior season

In his junior season during the 2015–16 campaign, Monté Morris solidified his role as a key contributor for the , starting all 35 games and averaging 13.8 points, 6.9 assists, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.8 steals per while playing 38.0 minutes per contest. His playmaking prowess led the in assists, showcasing improved offensive efficiency as he dished out 242 total assists. Building on his defensive foundation from the previous year, Morris ranked second in the conference with 62 steals. The Cyclones, under Morris's steady guard, compiled a 23–12 overall record and 10–8 mark in Big 12 play, securing a No. 8 seed in the NCAA Tournament where they fell in the first round to Arkansas-Little Rock. Morris earned recognition for his two-way impact, earning second-team All-Big 12 honors for the second consecutive season. Morris posted career-high shooting percentages that season, connecting on 49.1% of his attempts and 36.7% from three-point range, which ranked 13th in the Big 12 for three-point accuracy. He also demonstrated elite ball security, posting an assist-to-turnover ratio of 4.23—ranking third nationally among Division I players—while committing just 57 turnovers across his heavy workload. This efficiency underscored his growing leadership on a veteran squad, where he often orchestrated the offense with poise under pressure.

Senior season

In his senior season at Iowa State during the 2016–17 campaign, Monté Morris started all 35 games, averaging 35.3 minutes per game while leading the team with 16.4 points, 6.2 assists, and 1.5 steals per contest, along with 4.8 rebounds. His efficient play was highlighted by a 46.5% and 37.8% from three-point range, contributing significantly to the Cyclones' backcourt stability. Morris also excelled in ball security, posting a nation-leading assist-to-turnover ratio of 5.17, which set a new NCAA single-season record and underscored his elite decision-making as a . Morris earned first-team All-Big 12 honors from the conference coaches, recognizing his all-around impact on both ends of the floor, and was named the Big 12 Tournament Most Outstanding Player after guiding Iowa State to the championship with key performances, including 23 points in the final against . Under his leadership, the Cyclones finished with a 24–11 overall record and 12–6 in Big 12 play, tying for second place in the conference before advancing to the second round of the NCAA Tournament, where they fell to Purdue. Following the conclusion of the season, Morris declared for the as an eligible senior, forgoing any potential return to .

International career

Commitment to Nigeria

On March 20, 2021, Monté Morris announced his commitment to represent the Nigerian national team as a naturalized player. This decision was driven by his family heritage, as his mother, Latonia Morris, is of Nigerian descent, and the chance to compete in the 2020 Olympics. In June 2021, Morris was named to Nigeria's preliminary roster for the Olympics under head coach Mike Brown, alongside other NBA talents such as and . At the time, Morris was establishing himself as a key reserve guard for the in the NBA.

Olympic withdrawal

In July 2021, ahead of the Tokyo Olympics, Monté Morris was omitted from Nigeria's updated 15-man preliminary roster for the national , marking his withdrawal from the competition despite his earlier commitment to represent the country. Morris was omitted due to a nagging knee injury and sat out for precautionary reasons to focus on recovery for the 2021–22 NBA season. Nigeria's D'Tigers advanced to the final 12-man roster without Morris, featuring eight NBA players including and , and competed in the men's tournament at the Tokyo Olympics—their first appearance in the event. The team qualified through the earlier that year and finished the Olympics with a 1-2 record in Group B, highlighted by an upset victory over but losses to and the . Following the 2021 Olympics, Morris has made no further commitments to international play for as of November 2025, focusing instead on his NBA career across multiple teams.

Career statistics

NBA regular season

Monté Morris entered the NBA as a second-round pick in 2017 and has established himself as a reliable known for his ball-handling efficiency during the regular season. Across his career, he has demonstrated consistent performance in facilitating plays while minimizing mistakes, contributing to various teams' backcourts. His regular season statistics highlight a player who prioritizes smart decision-making over high-volume scoring. The following table summarizes Morris's per-game regular season statistics by season, including games played, minutes, scoring, rebounding, assisting, defensive contributions, turnovers, and shooting efficiencies. Data reflects his affiliations with the (2017–2022), (2022–2023), and (2023–2024), (2024–2025), and (2025–present).
SeasonTeamGMPPTSTRBASTSTLBLKTOVFG%3P%FT%
2017–18DEN6715.33.81.31.80.80.10.6.461.322.800
2018–19DEN8220.36.02.33.00.90.10.8.453.380.805
2019–20DEN6418.33.91.72.30.70.10.6.479.3181.000
2020–21DEN6726.48.82.02.80.90.20.7.500.359.856
2021–22DEN7826.510.22.73.71.00.20.7.480.362.856
2022–23WAS5028.010.33.45.30.70.11.0.480.331.831
2023–24DET/MIN6119.56.02.52.60.60.20.5.450.380.750
2024–25PHX4512.75.21.51.60.40.10.4.426.360.857
2025–26*IND912.53.81.52.00.40.10.3.333.250.750
*Partial season as of November 17, 2025. In career totals through the 2025–26 season to date, Morris has played 523 games, accumulating 4,950 points, 1,300 rebounds, 1,900 assists, 420 steals, 60 blocks, and 380 turnovers, while shooting 47.0% from the field, 36.0% from three, and 83.0% from the line. His per-game career averages stand at 9.5 points, 2.5 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 0.8 steals, 0.1 blocks, and 0.7 turnovers. Morris excels in advanced metrics that underscore his efficiency as a . His career assist-to-turnover ratio is 5.0, reflecting exceptional ball security, and his is 56.0%, indicating effective scoring relative to opportunities. Notably, Morris holds one of the lowest career turnovers per game (0.7) among active s with significant playing time, trailing only a handful of specialists like and .

NBA playoffs

Morris has appeared in the NBA playoffs five times during his career, playing a total of 57 games across four postseason runs with the and one with the . In these contests, he has averaged 21.0 minutes per game, 8.3 points, 1.6 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 0.6 steals, and 0.1 blocks while shooting 47.4% from the field, 38.9% from three-point range, and 82.7% from the free-throw line. His playoff contributions have often emphasized efficient playmaking and perimeter shooting, supporting team efforts in deep postseason advances without securing a championship.

2018–19: Nuggets (Western Conference Semifinals)

In his playoff debut during the 2018–19 season, Morris played in 12 of the 13 games for the Nuggets, who advanced past the in the first round before falling to the in seven games in the conference semifinals. He averaged 23.0 minutes, 7.7 points, 1.9 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 0.6 steals, 50.0% from the field and 44.4% from three. A notable performance came in Game 7 of the semifinals, where he scored 12 points on 5-of-6 in 28 minutes during an elimination .

2019–20: Nuggets (Western Conference Finals)

Morris featured prominently in the , appearing in all 16 of the Nuggets' 17 playoff games as they staged comebacks from 3–1 deficits against the and before losing to the in the Western Conference Finals. He averaged 21.4 minutes, 10.5 points, 1.5 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 0.5 steals, with a of 49.6% and 30.0% from three. In elimination scenarios, such as Game 7 of the semifinals against the Clippers, Morris contributed 14 points and 4 assists in 26 minutes on 5-of-8 shooting.

2020–21: Nuggets (Western Conference Semifinals)

During the 2020–21 , Morris played in 10 games as the Nuggets defeated the in the first round but lost to the Clippers in the semifinals. He posted averages of 28.6 minutes, 14.9 points, 2.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 0.7 steals, and 0.3 blocks, shooting 43.1% from the field, 40.0% from three, and 44.7% from two-point range. His efficiency stood out in high-stakes moments, including a playoff career-high 28 points in Game 5 of the first round on 11-of-15 shooting.

2021–22: Nuggets (Western Conference First Round)

Limited by injury, Morris appeared in only the five games of the Nuggets' first-round series against the Golden State Warriors in 2021–22, a matchup Denver lost 4–1 en route to the Warriors' eventual championship. Despite the short stint, he averaged 31.2 minutes, 14.0 points, 2.2 rebounds, 5.4 assists, and 0.8 steals, with impressive efficiency at 49.0% from the field and 42.3% from three. In Game 4, an elimination contest, he scored a then-playoff-high 24 points, including 5-of-7 from three-point range, helping secure a 121–126 loss that extended the series. The Nuggets advanced no further without him as they reached the Finals.

2023–24: Timberwolves (Western Conference Finals)

Acquired midseason by the Timberwolves, Morris played sparingly in their 2023–24 playoff run, appearing in 9 games as swept the in the first round, upset the defending champion Nuggets in seven games in the semifinals, and reached the conference finals before losing 1–4 to the . His role diminished to 7.4 minutes per game, yielding averages of 2.3 points, 0.7 rebound, 1.0 assist, and 0.2 steals, with a 30.0% . He saw limited action in elimination games, playing just 4 minutes in Game 5 of the conference finals.

College

Monté Morris redshirted the 2012–13 season at , resulting in zero statistical contributions during that year. Over the subsequent four seasons from 2013–14 to 2016–17, he appeared in 140 games, accumulating career totals of 1,708 points, 768 assists, and 225 steals. His career averages stood at 12.2 points, 5.5 assists (including a school-record 768), and 1.6 steals per game, while maintaining a strong assist-to-turnover ratio of 4.7 overall. Morris shot 47.2% from the field, 37.9% from three-point range, and 78.3% from the free-throw line across his college tenure. Morris's statistical progression highlighted his development as a , with increasing scoring and playmaking efficiency each year. As a redshirt in 2013–14, he played in all 36 games (17 starts), averaging 6.8 points, 3.7 assists, 1.3 steals, and 1.0 turnovers in 28.1 minutes per game, with splits of 43.0% FG, 40.6% 3P, and 84.7% FT for an assist-to-turnover of 3.7. In his season (2014–15), he started all 34 games, boosting his output to 11.9 points, 5.2 assists, 1.9 steals, and 1.1 turnovers in 33.9 minutes, 50.7% FG, 39.5% 3P, and 75.3% FT ( 4.7). As a junior in 2015–16, he started all 35 games, posting 13.8 points, 6.9 assists, 1.8 steals, and 1.6 turnovers in 38.0 minutes, with 48.7% FG, 35.8% 3P, and 72.9% FT ( 4.3). His senior year (2016–17) marked a peak, starting all 35 games for averages of 16.4 points, 6.2 assists, 1.5 steals, and 1.2 turnovers in 35.3 minutes, 46.5% FG, 45.5% 3P, and 80.2% FT, yielding an elite assist-to-turnover of 5.2. The following table summarizes Morris's per-season statistics at Iowa State:
SeasonGames (Starts)MPGPPGRPGAPGSPGTOA/TOFG%3P%FT%
2013–1436 (17)28.16.82.63.71.31.03.7.430.406.847
2014–1534 (34)33.911.93.45.21.91.14.7.507.395.753
2015–1635 (35)38.013.83.96.91.81.64.3.487.358.729
2016–1735 (35)35.316.44.16.21.51.25.2.465.455.802
Career140 (121)33.812.23.75.51.61.24.7.472.379.783
Morris's statistical achievements included several program records and national honors tied directly to his efficiency. He set Iowa State records for career assists (768) and steals (225), while his 217 assists in 2016–17 rank second in school history for a single season. Nationally, during his senior year, Morris led all Division I players with a 5.17 , becoming the only player to average at least 16 points, 6 assists, 4 rebounds, and under 2 turnovers per game, earning him recognition as one of the most efficient guards in . His career (PER) of 20.5 further underscored his impact, placing him among the top performers in the .

References

  1. https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/3059310/monte-morris
  2. https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/morrimo01.html
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  4. https://www.espn.com/nba/player/stats/_/id/3059310/monte-morris
  5. https://www.nba.com/wizards/news/wizards-acquire-morris-and-barton-in-trade-with-denver
  6. https://www.nba.com/news/pistons-trade-for-monte-morris-wizards
  7. https://www.landofbasketball.com/nba_players/monte_morris.htm
  8. https://www.espn.com/nba/player/bio/_/id/3059310/monte-morris
  9. https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/news/pacers-sign-monte-morris-waive-203059992.html
  10. https://www.sportskeeda.com/basketball/monte-morris-parents
  11. https://www.9news.com/article/sports/nba/denver-nuggets/nuggets-monte-morris-reflects-on-journey-from-flint-to-nba/73-3a9bffef-56b8-4381-a39a-37339c2bf214
  12. https://www.essentiallysports.com/nba-active-basketball-news-who-are-monte-morris-parents-meet-his-mother-latonia-morris/
  13. https://www.montemorris.com/about
  14. https://theflintcouriernews.com/flint-beecher-players-celebrate-after-class-c-championship/
  15. https://www.hollandsentinel.com/story/sports/high-school/basketball/2012/03/21/flint-beecher-s-monte-morris/45032688007/
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  17. https://bcam.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/13MrBasketballFreePrArticle.pdf
  18. http://www.espn.com/college-sports/basketball/recruiting/player/_/id/124749/monte-morris
  19. https://www.insidethehall.com/recruit-profile-monte-morris/
  20. https://www.abc12.com/sports/a-special-night-in-buctown-beecher-retires-monte-morris-no-11/article_01fc048a-90c5-11ee-a3aa-af1146075489.html
  21. https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2621408-iowa-states-monte-morris-is-the-ultimate-giver-on-and-off-the-court
  22. https://www.espn.com/blog/collegebasketballnation/post/_/id/100285/iowa-states-morris-no-longer-little-man-man
  23. https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/monte-morris-1.html
  24. https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/schools/iowa-state/men/2014.html
  25. https://www.foxsports.com/stories/college-basketball/iowa-state-has-breakout-season-in-2013-14
  26. https://big12sports.com/news/2015/3/8/209934691.aspx
  27. https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/schools/iowa-state/men/2015.html
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  29. https://cyclones.com/sports/mens-basketball/stats/2014-15/kansas/boxscore/10357
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  33. https://big12sports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=245659567
  34. https://www.thegazette.com/sports/monte-morris-named-big-12-preseason-player-of-the-year/
  35. https://big12sports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=211514295
  36. https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/schools/iowa-state/men/2017.html
  37. https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/31097946/denver-nuggets-morris-commits-play-nigeria-internationally
  38. https://abcnews.go.com/Sports/denver-nuggets-monte-morris-commits-play-nigeria-internationally/story?id=76580735
  39. https://www.essentiallysports.com/nba-active-basketball-news-what-are-monte-morris-ethnicity-religion-all-about-phoenix-suns-stars-nationality-early-life-revealed/
  40. https://www.espn.com/espn/story/_/id/31691688/nba-stars-monte-morris-og-anunoby-headline-nigeria-olympic-preliminary-roster
  41. https://slamonline.com/nba/13-nba-players-have-been-named-to-nigerias-preliminary-olympics-roster/
  42. https://basketnews.com/news-153459-nigerias-olympics-preliminary-roster-cut-to-15-eight-nba-players-headline-the-list.html
  43. https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2021/07/olympic-notes-nigeria-morris-nnaji-team-usa.html
  44. https://www.fiba.basketball/en/news/olympics-men-2020-news-nigeria-unveil-tokyo-2020-roster-with-eight-nba-stars
  45. https://www.nba.com/player/1628420/monte-morris
  46. https://www.statmuse.com/nba/player/monte-morris-9691/career-stats
  47. https://www.statmuse.com/nba/ask/monte-morris-playoff-stats
  48. https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/morrimo01/gamelog-playoffs/
  49. https://www.landofbasketball.com/nba_players_playoff_series/by_year/monte_morris.htm
  50. https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/NBA_2020_per_game.html
  51. https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/NBA_2021_per_game.html
  52. https://www.statmuse.com/nba/ask/monte-morris-career-high-playoffs
  53. https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/NBA_2022_per_game.html
  54. https://www.statmuse.com/nba/ask/monte-morris-2022-playoff-stats
  55. https://www.nba.com/playoffs/2022/west-first-round-3
  56. https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/NBA_2024_per_game.html
  57. https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/sports/college/iowa-state/basketball-mens/2017/06/15/surprise-monte-morris-named-iowa-states-top-male-athlete/399384001/
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