Darius Morris to Test the NBA Draft Waters

Submitted by MGoShoe on

Darius Morris will test the NBA draft process per his brother (FREEP article).

His brother DeWayne Morris Jr. said tonight that Darius will gauge his pro potential now that his sophomore season at U-M is concluded. “He’s going to test the waters,” DeWayne said. “He’s not going to hire an agent. He’s going to go through the process as if he was going to enter the draft.”

According to the article, Morris informed Beilein of his decision earlier this week.

DeWayne said Darius has until April 24 to declare for the draft and until May 8 to withdraw if Darius wants to return to school.

repole

March 27th, 2011 at 12:30 AM ^

Morris and any other underclassmen with pro potential should throw their name int he draft process every year, even if they have no intention of actually leaving. There's no reason you wouldn't want to, unless you feel really bad about "making your fans worry."

With that said, I'd be very, very surprised if Morris left, he's got a really, really good shot at being a mid first round pick next year if he develops his long range jump shot at all. As of right now he's a guy who can run an offense and provide some nice size defensively on the pro level, but he won't be a reliable enough scorer without a jumper.

 

mgoviking5

March 26th, 2011 at 10:10 PM ^

On another note, regarding a recruit. Trey Burke's Columbus Northland squad was just smothered by Cincinnati Lasalle.  He played shaky but looks to be a nice fit to the Beilein system.

tk47

March 27th, 2011 at 12:45 AM ^

I'd want to see where I stood too.  It'd be stupid for him not to at least see where he's at, and get feedback on what he needs to improve on most (cough 3-point shooting cough).

If he can develop a long-range shot and a pull-up jumper he should be a lottery pick next year IMO, which will get him a hell of a lot better contract than going late 1st round / early 2nd round.

Maizeforlife

March 27th, 2011 at 9:31 AM ^

This is why we have Brundidge and Burke coming in. Fear not Mgobrethern, Coach Beilein is building a recruiting force that gets better every year. Don't forget about a young one by the familiar name of Duuuuuuuuuuuumars that will soon be wearing the Maize and Blue. I am a big of a fan of Morris as anyone, but we will reload.

heckdchi

March 27th, 2011 at 10:25 AM ^

"Next year he’ll be familiar with the process and know what he has to work on."

"He’s going to go through the process as if he was going to enter the draft."

Sounds to me like this is due diligence and preparation for next year's draft.    

mackbru

March 27th, 2011 at 12:21 PM ^

Don't panic. He's just testing the water, in all likelihood. So he knows where he stands going into next year. Why not take advantage of that resource?
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<br>By consensus, he's not yet quite NBA-ready. Unless he's a Donovan Warren -- and I'd bet against that; seems like a pretty savvy kid -- he's just laying tracks.