Brian Morris commits to SMU. (nm)

[Smubrotha']

[Hoop Fan]

just what the doctor ordered: a 6'7 bruiser with a bad look on his face. I like this pickup..alot.

Look what Tubbs has done in putting together this year's class. First, he got a point guard with three years of eligibility left who has already proven he could play in the Big 12. Then, he gets a pure shooter who happens to be an SMU legacy. Then, he gets a 7'0 shot blocker who can be a real precence at center. And now, he brings in the type of power forward every good team needs. Thats four of the five positions on the floor addressed. I admit, I wish all 4 were from our backyard in Dallas, but this will do.

[Stallion]

Rivals confirms. Offers from SMU and Fresno St. and Rivals states that in the spring recruiting season "Georgetown, Tennessee, Virgina Tech, Washington St, and San Diego made overtures". I believe also Xavier made an offer in the early signing period.

[Terry Webster]

Does anyone have any stats and info about Morris? Glad he made his commitment to the ponies.

[me@smu]

Brian Morris
PF - Portland (OR)
6'7'' 262lbs

Three Stars according to Rivals.com


Rivals.com Article of 4/10/05-

Brian Morris has found a college home. Numerous schools had drifted in and out of the recruitment of the skilled 6-foot-9, 240-pound power forward during the year. But one college stayed through and true to him the whole way, and over the weekend Morris gave them his verbal pledge. He'll be signing a letter-of-intent at Jefferson High School in Portland to play college ball in Conference USA when the spring signing period starts this week.

"I'm going to go to SMU," Morris said. "I made the call on Friday. I felt that was it was the best place for me to go. I like how it feels like a home away from home for me, and I have some family down there too."

Morris had visited SMU in the fall right before the fall signing period, but wasn't ready to make a decision at the time. But the Mustangs knew that Morris was their guy, so even after the season ended and other schools like Georgetown, Virginia Tech, Washington State, and San Diego made overtures, Morris responded to SMU's love in kind. "They made me an offer that I couldn't refuse," he said.

At SMU, Morris will be joining 7-foot-1 center Bamba Fall from Oak Hill Academy - a player he matched up against in December's Les Schwab Invitational. It was there that Morris met Fall - and where he got extra encouragement about joining the Mustangs. "I've talked to him and he said that I should go there so that it's me and him in the frontcourt," Morris said. "I'm planning on starting."

OregonPreps would like to congratulate Morris and his family on his decision.

[The XtC]

[quote="Terry Webster"]Does anyone have any stats and info about Morris? Glad he made his commitment to the ponies.[/quote]

There is a little more info on Morris in a thread below this entitled "Odds and Ends" and one on the recruiting board entitled "Brian Morris vs. Bamba Fall." To summarize, he's a wide bodied player who likes to bang around in the paint. Alot of schools were watching him, but he sprained his ankle mid-season, and the bigger offers he was waiting for didnt come through. He played for a good high school team that saw some strong competition, and his scoring and rebounding numbers were solid (15-16 ppg, and 8 rpg.). He's a good complement to Bamba, who is tall, but not very wide.

There are a couple of minor inaccuracies in the posted article. He visited us in the fall, and was ready to commit until Georgetown and Tennessee got involved. He committed verbally in early March.

[LA_Mustang]

Morris was a must get and makes things look a lot better for next season. Everything I've read suggests that he should be ready for the college game as soon as he steps on campus. You can go ahead and pencil him in as a starter. My starting five: Hop, Dez, Roberts, Pearson and Morris. We'll be small but you have to put your best players on the court. If Hop is not back: Dez, Roberts, Pearson, Morris and Rack/Falls.

[Hoop Fan]

I think Morris is a likely starter too. I wouldnt be surprised if we all but promised him a starting spot to get him here. It was smart if we did. SMU has to do that when it can.

[me@smu]

Starting spot could be the "offer he couldn't refuse."

Anyone else cringe with those words relating to an smu recruit?

[abezontar]

no, I think we should be giving offers like that more often

[jtstang]

Although I hate the concept of "promising" somebody a starting spot before they've earned it, if it happened here it would almost be understandable given our frontcourt prospects for next year. I mean, if your 6'7", 230 and breathing you almost couldn't help but start.

[Stallion]

I'd be shocked if Morris started at the begining of the season-I bet Dontas gets the call and they ease Morris in.

[oregonpreps]

XtC - you are valid on your observations. Morris did indeed commit in March and is something that we were aware of -- but out of respect to him and the coaching staff at Jefferson, we did not make the commitment public until he wanted it made - which was this weekend. The fall was a big whirlwind for "Big B" as he didn't get his SAT score until late, and then made back-to-back-to-back visits to Xavier, SMU, and Fresno State right before the fall signing period. He really liked Xavier, but they didn't have a solid offer to give him. And with Tennessee and Georgetown trying to get in, he thought it was best if he waited until the spring.

From a personal standpoint, and having lived in DFW before moving up here to Oregon, I do think SMU is the best fit for Brian. Had he gone to a Georgetown, Tennessee, Virginia Tech, etc - he would have sat and rotted on the bench. However, it sounds as if the SMU coaching staff is more than willing to spend time to work with and develop him. The key thing with Brian is his weight and conditioning - a lot of it is due to discipline. The kid simply LOVES to eat - there have been times where it's sickening how much food he'll throw down. In addition to his sprained ankle in mid-season, his weight simply didn't allow him to be on the floor for long stretches of game -- especially since Jefferson likes to run and press. But he's the type of kid that if he gets into a good disciplined program and routine, I have no doubt he will trim down and succeed. He's very skilled, knows how to get position, and has a soft touch. His half-baby hook shot is near unstoppable (or at least it was in Oregon high school ball). He's got a lot of experience playing against high-level competition from AAU ball, the Olympic Developmental Festival, Nike Camp, etc. - so it's just a matter of him getting in the best shape he can.

He's been nominated for this summer's Global Games, so if he's selected (which is likely) Mustang fans will get a chance to see him play in July.

I'll be monitoring this board for a little bit, so if you have any questions about Brian, I'll try my best to respond.

[me@smu]

Oregonpreps - Thanks for the comments and the insight into Brian. Safe to say, we are thrilled to have him committ to SMU and hope that he can help lead us back to the top of the hill.

Look forward to seeing him in Moody next season!

[Stallion]

Hey Oregonpreps-what's your best guess of his current height-its been reported from 6-7(Rivals) to 6-9 1/2(in the Dallas Morning News). This kid sounds a lot like-and I mean it in a good way because he became a great college player- Oliver Miller out of Ft. Worth and Arkansas-what was high nickname the Round Mound of Rebound and the Big O. This is one team that can definitely use a big wide body like that.