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Randolph Morris
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Randolph Albert Morris (born January 2, 1986) is an American former professional basketball player.
Key Information
Early life
[edit]As a senior for Atlanta's Landmark Christian High School, Morris nearly averaged a triple-double[1] at 23.0 ppg, 16.0 rpg and 8.0 bpg, which earned him McDonald's All-American Team status. Randolph Morris was the #2 rated center and #10 overall prospect by Rivals.com in a year when a record eight high schoolers went directly to the NBA draft. Morris strongly considered a jump straight to the NBA as well, but decided to spend at least a year in school. Kentucky won a late recruiting battle, after drawing Morris away from early favorite Georgia Tech.[2] Morris, along with All-Americans Joe Crawford and Rajon Rondo, gave Kentucky the top-rated recruiting class in the nation.[3] Also, in that same recruiting class was Kentucky teammate Ramel Bradley.
College career
[edit]After a solid debut in his first year at Kentucky, Morris decided to declare for the 2005 NBA draft but did not hire an agent. He averaged 8.8 points per game and 4.2 rebounds. Despite playing well for Kentucky and starting every game but one, he did not prove himself NBA ready and often got in foul trouble. Morris went undrafted and decided to attempt a return to Kentucky. The NCAA agreed to reinstate him, but not before sitting out the first half of the 2005–2006 season. Morris returned to Kentucky in January 2006, but could not help the team get out of its season-long slump. Nevertheless, he improved in almost every statistical category from his freshman year and was very impressive at times. As a sophomore, he averaged 13.3 points and 6 rebounds per game. In his junior season, Morris made further progress, averaging 16.1 points, 7.8 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game, earning first team All-SEC honors.
Professional career
[edit]After his freshman year at Kentucky, Morris declared himself eligible for the 2005 NBA draft. He went undrafted, but since he did not hire an agent, Morris was allowed to return to the Wildcats to continue playing college basketball.
At the same time, because the NBA's collective bargaining agreement prohibited him from re-entering into a future draft, Morris was also legally a free agent who could be signed at any time. That meant he would be able to leave Kentucky in the middle of the college basketball season if signed by an NBA team.[4]
Morris took advantage of his free agent status, and signed a two-year, $1.6 million contract with the New York Knicks on March 23, 2007, five days after Kentucky was eliminated from the NCAA tournament.[5] Morris became the first player in history to go from the NCAA to the NBA in the same week, when he signed with the Knicks.
When UK's then head coach Tubby Smith resigned and took the same job with the Minnesota Golden Gophers, Kentucky's athletic director Mitch Barnhart asked Morris to defer making a decision about turning pro until after the administration found a new head coach to replace Smith, but he chose to sign with New York instead of waiting.
After spending parts of two seasons playing with the Knicks, Morris joined the NBA Summer League team of the Atlanta Hawks in 2008, and subsequently signed a two-year, $1.7 million contract with the Hawks on July 29.[6] He would then spend the next two seasons as a member of Atlanta's roster.
Morris moved to the Beijing Ducks of the Chinese Basketball Association ahead of the 2010-11 season.[7] In his second season in China, he and teammate Stephon Marbury led Beijing to its first-ever CBA title. In 2014, the Ducks won their second championship, and Morris was named the CBA Finals MVP. Beijing repeated as champions in 2015, giving the Ducks a run of three titles in four years.
NBA career statistics
[edit]| 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 |
Regular season
[edit]| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–07 | New York | 5 | 0 | 8.8 | .167 | .000 | .333 | 1.8 | .2 | .4 | .2 | .8 |
| 2007–08 | New York | 18 | 2 | 10.1 | .362 | .000 | .483 | 2.1 | .1 | .2 | .1 | 3.1 |
| 2008–09 | Atlanta | 23 | 0 | 3.9 | .412 | .000 | 1.000 | .9 | .1 | .1 | .0 | .8 |
| 2009–10 | Atlanta | 28 | 0 | 4.4 | .561 | .000 | .593 | 1.4 | .1 | .2 | .1 | 2.2 |
| Career | 74 | 2 | 5.9 | .426 | .000 | .545 | 1.4 | .1 | .2 | .1 | 1.9 |
Playoffs
[edit]| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Atlanta | 3 | 0 | 2.7 | .000 | .000 | .000 | .7 | .0 | .3 | .0 | .0 |
| 2010 | Atlanta | 3 | 0 | 3.3 | .500 | .000 | 1.000 | .7 | .0 | .0 | .0 | 1.0 |
| Career | 6 | 0 | 3.0 | .333 | .000 | 1.000 | .7 | .0 | .2 | .0 | .5 |
References
[edit]- ^ Kentucky's Morris should pull out of draft
- ^ Davis, Seth (May 31, 2004), College Basketball: Who's No. 1? Deprecated link archived July 23, 2012, at archive.today, Sports Illustrated
- ^ "Rivals.com Top 25 for 2004". Rivals.com. Archived from the original on April 13, 2016. Retrieved March 12, 2007.
- ^ Wojnarowski, Adrian (December 11, 2006). "The Problematic Prospect". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved April 4, 2007.
- ^ "Knicks sign Kentucky center Morris to 2-year deal". ESPN.com. March 23, 2007. Retrieved March 23, 2007.
- ^ "Hawks land big man". Archived from the original on July 28, 2012. Retrieved July 29, 2008.
- ^ "Former Wildcat Randolph Morris shines in Beijing debut". AllKYhoops.com. Archived from the original on March 23, 2013. Retrieved January 21, 2012.
External links
[edit]- Career statistics from NBA.com · Basketball Reference
- Kentucky Wildcats bio
Randolph Morris
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
Early years
Early life
Randolph Morris was born on January 2, 1986, in Houston, Texas.[1][9]High school career
Randolph Morris attended Landmark Christian School in Fairburn, Georgia, where he developed into a dominant force on the basketball court during his high school years.[9] Standing at 6 feet 10 inches as a senior, Morris showcased elite athleticism and skill, earning recognition as one of the nation's top big men. His performance helped elevate the school's program, drawing attention from major college programs across the country.[10] In his senior season of 2003–04, Morris averaged 23.0 points, 16.0 rebounds, and 8.0 blocks per game, demonstrating his versatility as a scorer, rebounder, and rim protector.[9] These statistics underscored his potential as a high-major recruit, with scouts praising his soft shooting touch, footwork, and defensive presence. His efforts culminated in prestigious honors, including selection to the McDonald's All-American Game, where he competed alongside other elite prospects.[10] Additionally, Rivals.com ranked him as the No. 2 center and No. 10 overall player in the class of 2004, highlighting his status in a talent-rich recruiting cycle that saw several high schoolers bypass college for the NBA.[9][11] Morris's recruitment became a focal point for top programs, with scholarship offers from schools including Georgia Tech. He ultimately committed to the University of Kentucky on May 6, 2004, choosing to join coach Tubby Smith's program over his hometown option and others.[12] This decision capped an intense process, as Morris had been courted heavily for his blend of size, skill, and basketball IQ, positioning him as a cornerstone of Kentucky's incoming class.[13]College career
Freshman season (2004–05)
Randolph Morris joined the University of Kentucky for the 2004–05 season as one of the nation's top recruits, earning immediate playing time under head coach Tubby Smith without redshirting. His high school pedigree as a McDonald's All-American from Landmark Christian School in Georgia facilitated a quick integration into the Wildcats' rotation, where he started 30 of 34 games as the primary center.[2][14] Over the season, Morris averaged 8.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 0.9 blocks in 19.8 minutes per game, while shooting an efficient 52.8% from the field and contributing solid interior presence.[2] His scoring efficiency stood out in select matchups, such as his debut on November 20, 2004, against Coppin State, where he posted 7 points on 1-of-2 shooting and 5-of-7 free throws in 11 minutes.[15] Another highlight came on December 29, 2004, versus Campbell, when Morris erupted for 25 points on 11-of-14 field goals and added 5 rebounds, showcasing his post-scoring ability.[15] As a freshman, Morris navigated adjustment challenges, including frequent foul trouble that occasionally curtailed his minutes and disrupted team flow; he accumulated more fouls than rebounds in six games.[15] These issues highlighted his learning curve in physical SEC play, though he worked on defensive discipline to complement veterans like forward Chuck Hayes.[16] Morris's steady contributions bolstered Kentucky's frontcourt depth, aiding the team's 14–2 SEC record and first-place finish in the Eastern Division.[17] His rebounding and shot-blocking helped establish a strong interior defense, with the Wildcats ranking among the conference leaders in paint protection during league play.[17]Sophomore season (2005–06)
Following his freshman year, Morris entered the 2005 NBA draft without retaining an agent, a move that preserved his college eligibility but led to complications with NCAA rules. The organization initially ruled him ineligible for the entire 2005–06 season due to the declaration process, but after Kentucky's appeal and new information provided, the suspension was reduced to 14 games, allowing Morris to rejoin the team starting with the Southeastern Conference schedule in January 2006.[18][19] Morris quickly established himself as a more dominant force upon returning, averaging 13.3 points and 6.0 rebounds per game across 21 appearances while logging 24.4 minutes per contest. His shooting efficiency marked a clear step forward, connecting on 60.8% of field goal attempts and 68.6% from the free-throw line, which helped him emerge as a reliable low-post scorer. Defensively, Morris contributed 1.1 blocks and 0.8 steals per game, enhancing Kentucky's interior presence and rebounding after a freshman season limited by playing time and adjustment challenges.[2] The Wildcats, coached by Tubby Smith, compiled a 22–13 overall record and went 9–7 in SEC play to finish third in the Eastern Division. In the NCAA Tournament, Kentucky earned a No. 8 seed in the Washington Regional, advancing past No. 9 UAB with a 69–64 first-round victory before a 87–83 second-round loss to top-seeded UConn. Morris's post-suspension contributions provided crucial frontcourt depth during the team's conference tournament run and March Madness appearance.[20][21][22]Junior season (2006–07)
In his junior season, Randolph Morris emerged as a dominant force in the paint for the Kentucky Wildcats, averaging 16.1 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks per game while shooting 59.2% from the field over 34 appearances.[2] Building on his development from the previous year, Morris provided consistent interior scoring and rim protection, often serving as the focal point of Kentucky's offense under coach Tubby Smith. His efficiency was highlighted by a career-high 23.3 points and 3.0 blocks per 40 minutes during the season, contributing to the team's balanced attack.[2] Morris earned First Team All-SEC honors from the coaches, recognizing his impact in Southeastern Conference play where Kentucky finished 9-7 and fourth in the East division.[2] Key performances included a game against rival Tennessee on January 28, 2007, where he tallied 9 points and 4 rebounds to help secure a 76-57 victory.[23] These efforts helped propel the Wildcats to a 22-12 overall record and an appearance in the NCAA Tournament, where they defeated Eastern Kentucky 76-73 in the first round before falling 80-62 to top-seeded North Carolina in the second round.[24][25] Following the conclusion of Kentucky's season on March 18, 2007, Morris opted to forgo his senior year and turn professional, signing a multi-year free agent contract with the New York Knicks just five days later on March 23.[3] Over his three college seasons, Morris amassed career averages of 12.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game, translating to 21.2 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks per 40 minutes, underscoring his growth into an NBA-ready big man.[2]Professional career
NBA career
Randolph Morris entered the NBA as an undrafted free agent after declaring for the 2005 draft following his freshman season at Kentucky and returning to school without hiring an agent.[3] On March 23, 2007, shortly after his junior year concluded, he signed a multi-year contract with the New York Knicks, securing a roster spot as an undrafted prospect with potential as a big man.[26] During his tenure with the Knicks from 2007 to 2008, Morris served primarily in a bench role, providing depth at center amid a crowded frontcourt. In the 2006–07 season, he appeared in five games, averaging 0.8 points and 1.8 rebounds in 8.8 minutes per game while shooting 16.7% from the field.[27] His role expanded slightly in 2007–08, where he played 18 games for 3.1 points and 2.1 rebounds per game in 10.1 minutes, though his field goal percentage remained inefficient at 36.2%.[27] Overall with New York, Morris logged limited minutes as a developmental player behind established centers like Eddy Curry and Jared Jeffries, contributing modestly to a team that finished 23–59 that season.[1] Morris became an unrestricted free agent on July 1, 2008, and signed another multi-year deal with the Atlanta Hawks on July 30, 2008, joining a contending Eastern Conference team.[26] In 2008–09, he appeared in 23 games off the bench, averaging 0.8 points and 0.9 rebounds in just 3.9 minutes per game with a 41.2% field goal rate, often overshadowed by starters like Al Horford and Josh Smith.[27] His most active NBA stretch came in 2009–10, playing 28 games for 2.2 points and 1.4 rebounds in 4.4 minutes, improving his efficiency to 56.1% from the field in spot duty during Atlanta's playoff push.[27] Across his Hawks stint, Morris remained a peripheral figure, totaling 51 appearances without starting a game.[1] Over his entire NBA career spanning 74 games with the Knicks and Hawks from 2007 to 2010, Morris averaged 1.9 points, 1.4 rebounds, and 5.9 minutes per game while shooting 42.6% from the field.[27] He became a free agent again on July 1, 2010, after the Hawks declined to re-sign him, marking the end of his NBA opportunities as he pursued professional play overseas.[26]International career
Following his brief stint in the NBA, Randolph Morris transitioned to professional basketball in Asia, where he achieved significant success and longevity. In 2010, he signed with the Beijing Ducks of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA), embarking on a seven-season tenure that lasted until 2017.[28] During this period, Morris adapted to the CBA's distinct rules, such as shorter shot clocks and different physicality levels compared to the NBA, while navigating cultural adjustments like language barriers and a more fan-centric environment in China.[5] He described the experience as "tremendously enriching," contributing to the league's growth amid rising attendance and improved facilities.[5] Morris emerged as a dominant force for the Ducks, averaging 24.5 points and 9.6 rebounds per game across 191 regular-season appearances from 2011 to 2017, with career highs exceeding 25 points in peak seasons like 2013–14 (26.5 points, 9.3 rebounds).[29] In his debut 2010 season, he posted 29.9 points and 12.2 rebounds, setting the tone for his role as the team's primary interior scorer and rebounder alongside guard Stephon Marbury.[5] The Ducks won three CBA championships during his time there (2012, 2014, 2015), with Morris earning Finals MVP honors in 2014 after averaging 25.3 points and 10.8 rebounds in the playoffs that year.[5][30] These accomplishments highlighted his adaptation and impact in a league he noted was competitively improving, surprising many imports with its intensity.[5] After leaving Beijing in 2017, Morris joined Sporting Al Riyadi Beirut in Lebanon's Division 1 Basketball League for the 2018–19 season, where he helped the team secure the league championship.[31] His international career concluded in 2019 after this title, capping a nine-year overseas run with overall CBA averages of approximately 25 points and 10 rebounds per game, underscoring his sustained productivity abroad.[5] Morris retired from professional basketball after the 2018–19 season.[28]Career statistics
NBA regular season
Randolph Morris appeared in 74 NBA regular season games over four seasons (2006–07 to 2009–10), split between the New York Knicks and Atlanta Hawks, where he served primarily as a reserve center and power forward.[1] His career averages included 5.9 minutes per game, 1.9 points per game, 1.4 rebounds per game, 0.1 assists per game, 0.1 blocks per game, and a 44.2% field goal percentage, reflecting his limited role off the bench.[1] Morris's playing time was constrained by the depth at the center and power forward positions, with established players like Eddy Curry and Jerome James ahead of him on the Knicks, and Al Horford and Zaza Pachulia on the Hawks.[1][32] The table below details his per-game regular season statistics by season, focusing on key metrics.| Season | Team | G | MP | FG% | PTS | TRB | AST | BLK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–07 | NYK | 5 | 8.8 | .167 | 0.8 | 1.8 | 0.2 | 0.2 |
| 2007–08 | NYK | 18 | 10.1 | .362 | 3.1 | 2.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 |
| 2008–09 | ATL | 23 | 3.9 | .412 | 0.8 | 0.9 | 0.1 | 0.0 |
| 2009–10 | ATL | 28 | 4.4 | .561 | 2.2 | 1.4 | 0.1 | 0.1 |
| Career | 74 | 5.9 | .442 | 1.9 | 1.4 | 0.1 | 0.1 |
NBA playoffs
Morris's NBA playoff experience was limited to six games across two seasons with the Atlanta Hawks, following a rookie year with the New York Knicks during which the team failed to qualify for the postseason.[1] In the 2007–08 season, the Knicks finished with a 19–63 record, placing last in the Atlantic Division and well outside the playoff picture. During the 2008–09 playoffs, Morris appeared in three games for the Hawks in their first-round series against the Miami Heat, logging a total of 8 minutes without scoring a point.[33] He recorded two rebounds in one of those contests but did not contribute offensively, reflecting his role as a depth player on a team that advanced to the second round.[33] In the 2009–10 postseason, Morris again saw minimal action with the Hawks, playing in three games of their first-round matchup against the Orlando Magic.[33] Over 10 minutes total, he scored three points on 1-of-1 shooting in the series-clinching Game 6 loss, while adding two rebounds across the series; the Hawks were eliminated in six games.[33] His overall playoff averages stood at 0.5 points, 0.7 rebounds, and 1.3 minutes per game, underscoring his peripheral role in postseason rotations.| Season | Team | Series | GP | MPG | PPG | RPG | APG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008–09 | ATL | vs. MIA (W 4–3) | 3 | 2.7 | 0.0 | 0.7 | 0.0 |
| 2009–10 | ATL | vs. ORL (L 2–4) | 3 | 3.3 | 1.0 | 0.7 | 0.0 |
| Career | - | - | 6 | 3.0 | 0.5 | 0.7 | 0.0 |