Published Jul 3, 2008
Hoops: More on Darius Morris
Chris Balas
TheWolverine.com Senior Editor
Los Angeles Winward four-star point guard Darius Morris told TheWolverine.com his visit to Ann Arbor couldn't have gone much better. Here are photos from his time camping over the weekend and more quotes from an online diary.
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Morris was in Virginia in June for the NBA Players' Association camp, where he shined against some of the top players in the country.
"My roomate at the camp was Jordan Morgan (a Michigan commitment) who was constantly convincing me that Michigan was the school for me (haha) ... just like the other players in attendance that have committed to other schools that are recruiting me. I think NBA camp was a great experience for me. Unlike other camps, I spent more time in the classroom learning about real life situations other than just perfecting my skills on the hardwood.
"... The days I spent at NBA camp enabled me to get better as a player and person. I also think my play was strong and helped define me as one of the top point guards at the camp."
Several in attendance agreed with that assessment. Three days later, Morris went to New Jersey for the Steve Nash Camp for the top 20 point guards in the nation.
"There was a competitive atmosphere in the workouts between me and the other point guards at the camp, but it was cool because we got to know each other and all got along well," Morris wrote. "Steve Nash attended two out of three days. It was an honor to be able to ask him questions and learn from him.
"Nash gave me great tips about the point guard position that I added to my game right away. After about five spaced out two- to three-hour workouts the camp was over Friday night and my body was feeling sore. But it was worth it for the knowledge I gained as a point guard and the friends I made."
Morris arrived in Ann Arbor at 10:30 a.m. Saturday.
"My parents flew from Los Angeles and picked me up at the airport. They were happy to see me since I was away from them for four days, which I've gotten used to on my basketball circuit," he wrote. "We arrived at the campus of Michigan and was told that people there were anxiously awaiting my visit and couldn't wait to see me play.
"I was excited as well to visit the school because I had heard great things about it from many people. However, two hours after getting off the plane I was lacing it up to play in the Team Camp alongside 2010 forward Nate Lubick and some incoming freshmen at Michigan.
"Despite being jet lagged, I managed to perform well in all my three games and seemed to please all the fans, players and coaches. But I felt my body run out of gas in the third game and quickly rushed to my cousin Linda Hopkins' house to get some well needed rest.
"The next morning I took an unofficial to see the Michigan campus. The coaches set up everything nicely and even on Sunday gave me the opportunity to meet some important people at admissions and athletics. I got to see the beautiful campus Michigan has to offer and got to feel the love. To top it off I got to play and interact with some of current players like Manny Harris.
"All in all, my trip to Michigan was great, but I can't wait to get back to my own bed and rest up for Nike Lebron Camp which Is for the top 80 players in the nation, so I have to be 100 percent."
For Morris' entire diary entry, click here: Darius Morris blog.