Former Michigan point guard Darius Morris assigned to D-League by Lakers
With the Michigan basketball program on the eve of entering postseason play, its floor leader from a year ago has received a demotion.
The Los Angeles Lakers announced Wednesday that point guard Darius Morris, who set the Wolverines' single-season assist record as a sophomore last season, has been assigned to the NBA Development League.
Morris has appeared in 13 games this season for the Lakers, averaging 2.7 points and 1.1 assists per game. He did not play Tuesday night during Los Angeles' overtime loss to the Detroit Pistons.
Darius Morris defends the Los Angeles Clippers' Chris Paul in a January game. The Los Angeles Lakers assigned Morris to the NBA D-League on Wednesday.
AP Photo
The former Wolverine has been stuck toward the back of a deep Los Angeles back court rotation this season, behind veteran point guards Derek Fisher and Steve Blake. The Lakers have also given extended minutes to former D-Leaguer Andrew Goudelock, who was selected after Morris in last season's NBA Draft.
Morris averaged 15 points, 6.7 assists and four rebounds per game as a sophomore at Michigan, leading the school to the third round of the NCAA Tournament. Morris' 235 assists set a single-season school record.
He finished his career tied with Lester Abram for 19th all-time in minutes per game (29) and 12th in career assists (319). In his two-year career, Morris averaged 4.8 assists.
Following the season, Morris announced he'd forego his final two years of eligibility at Michigan and declare for the NBA Draft.
"This was a difficult decision; however, in the end I decided to go with my heart,” Morris said at the time in a statement. “Playing professional basketball has always been a dream for me. I feel this is the right time for me to pursue that goal. It will be hard to leave the University of Michigan; however, I truly believe the basketball program is moving in a very positive direction.”
Morris' replacement, Michigan freshman point guard Trey Burke, was named a co-receipient of the Big Ten's Freshman of the Year on Monday. Burke currently leads Michigan in scoring at 14.6 points per game, and his 139 assists this season are a single-season record for a Wolverine freshman.
Morris, who was chosen 41st overall by the Lakers in the 2011 NBA Draft, is the team's third NBADL assignment this season. He'll now begin play for the Los Angeles D-Fenders.
Nick Baumgardner covers Michigan basketball for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at 734-623-2514, by email at nickbaumgardner@annarbor.com and followed on Twitter @nickbaumgardner.
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Comments
Captain Dave
Thu, Mar 8, 2012 : 11:33 p.m.
It's too bad some of our athletes think that they are better than they are and don't value the 4 year degree from Michigan. There have been All-American football players that have left early as well. These kids see what they think are big bucks and leave school only to find out that they made huge mistakes. Too bad both the NFL and NBA don't require a minimum of at least 3 years of college ball to qualify for either drafts.
azwolverine
Fri, Mar 9, 2012 : 1 a.m.
I agree. These young guys have no idea what kind of decision they are truly making.
Buster W.
Thu, Mar 8, 2012 : 5:32 p.m.
My guess is that Trey Burke played a key role in Darius moving on to the NBA. He'll probably wind up in Europe.
chiro19
Thu, Mar 8, 2012 : 4:36 p.m.
Brilliance!
azwolverine
Thu, Mar 8, 2012 : 1:14 p.m.
He's a young guy who made a mistake that I'm sure he regrets big time and probably will for the rest of his life. No need to pile on.
taxpayer united
Thu, Mar 8, 2012 : 7:32 a.m.
So much for leaving college early to go to NBA. I love seeing this maybe the next college player thinking about leaving early will think twice. Hey Darius, NBA is a little different than college. Right. I predicted this. I thought he was overrated. Another 2 years at college level would of sure made a difference. I do not think Darius will ever really contribute much in the NBA.
smokeblwr
Thu, Mar 8, 2012 : 3:23 a.m.
Well, he'll always have his degree to fall back on, eh?
Ted Bundy
Fri, Mar 9, 2012 : 2:45 p.m.
Well he makes more money than you will ever make in your life trolling UM article comment sections.
Goofus
Thu, Mar 8, 2012 : 2:21 a.m.
Manny Harris The Second.