NBA Draft Profiles: Marcus Morris, Kansas

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Stats: 17.2 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 1.6 apg, 34.2% 3PT, 62.0% 2PT

Age: 21, junior

Size:

• Listed: 6'9", 230 lb
• Official: 6'7" (no shoes), 6'8.75" (with shoes), 6'10" (wingspan), 8'9.5" (reach), 230 lb

Strengths: Marcus Morris is probably the most versatile and well-rounded forward prospect in this draft not named Derrick Williams. He can really do it all from an offensive standpoint. He's got a nice back-to-the-basket game, capable of going over either shoulder or facing up in the post. He's got a soft touch on his jump shots, jump hooks, and finishes around the rim as well. What truly sets him apart, however, is ability on the perimeter. He's got NBA range on his jumper, he can put the ball on the floor and go by a slower-footed defender, and he's got a pull-up and mid-range game that you don't often see in a front court player. Morris also runs the floor well and can get to the offensive glass.

Weaknesses: The biggest question mark in Marcus' game is what position he is going to play at the next level. He doesn't have the size, the length, or the explosiveness that you typically see in a power forward, but he doesn't appear to be quick enough to defend on the perimeter at the next level. Is he a four or a three? Its pretty clear in the interviews that he has had that he wants to be a three at the next level. There are other question marks, as well. Morris was not a great defensive rebounder at the college level, and there is no guarantee that he is going to be able to be one in the NBA. There are also question marks about his ability to defend at the next level. He has the toughness and the desire to be a capable defender, but he doesn't necessarily have the physical tools. He's not all that long or athletic, he's strong but could be outmuscled by bigger power forwards, and he's quick enough to effectively defend the pick and roll but not necessarily quick enough to defend NBA threes full time.

Comparisons:

• Best Case Scenario: Boris Diaw. Another multi-skilled forward who can do it all, much like Marcus is capable of on the perimeter and in the post. Maybe hes not quite the passer Diaw is, but sure D’s up, shoots the ball, and rebounds the ball just as well.


• Worst Case Scenario: Shawne Williams meets Damien Wilkins. Williams emerged this past season as a legit 3-point shooter, and Marcus is capable of being just the same once he incorporates that range into his game. You couple that with the perimeter play and D of Wilkins, and you have a decent NBA forward.

Outlook: Morris is, more or less, a finished product. You know what you are going to get from him. He has the all-around offensive arsenal to be a capable scorer at the next level. He'll be a matchup problem whether he is a three or a four, capable of drawing bigger defenders to the perimeter or posting up smaller defenders. He has a fairly high basketball IQ and, at least in college, seemed to understand his limitations and play within himself. That is going to be a key for him at the next level. He is going to have to accept playing a role at the next level, something that he appears capable of doing after spending two seasons playing second fiddle to the likes of Sherron Collins, Xavier Henry, and Cole Aldrich.

Draft Range: Mid to Late Lottery

And the experts say...

• Chad Ford: "Marcus is coming off another terrific season. The 6-foot-9 forward averaged 17.2 ppg and had one of the highest efficiency ratings in college basketball. He's one of the most polished offensive big men in college basketball. His offensive versatility, motor and high basketball IQ are all appealing to scouts. But teams worry that he's a bit of a tweener at the next level. He's a likely mid first-round pick."


• Draft Express: "Much of Morris's success will be determined by the role he's asked to play early in his career. He's a fairly finished product at this point, and if he's put in a position where he can utilize all the facets of his game, he's going to do some damage offensively if he can stay as dialed in as he's been this season for Bill Self—something that may have been a cause for concern earlier in his career. Morris's skill level is clearly a cut above that of most players at the college level. If he can convince a team that he can translate his terrific production and skill-set to the NBA, he'll be a very popular name during the pre-draft process."


• Swish Scout: "Multi-skilled forward who loves to play on the perimeter and brings some solid perimeter shooting, strong rebounding, play making and plenty of energy to a squad. Although considered a ‘tweener’ forward and only average athlete, the Big XII Player of the Year is a physical player with an outstanding basketball IQ that will allow him to be an impact player in the NBA for many years to come."

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