Jordan Morgan Signs with Italian Team Virtus Roma
Congrats to Jordan Morgan for signing to play pro ball in Italy with Virtus Roma (Italian-language press release). Even from the Google translation, I think the gist of the following comes through:
This comment gm Nicola Alberani: "Morgan is a solid player, and square. We give substance into the area and depth in attack. He comes from a background of basketball very high, in fact of three of his college classmates were selected to the NBA Draft this year. For a number of factors that I have not had the exposure it deserves, because it is a team player willing to sacrifice. It has important human qualities and not surprisingly he was captain at Michigan University."
And here's what Morgan had to say (roughly translated):
These are the first words of Morgan as a player of Virtus: "I'm lucky to start my career as a professional team with a historic and prestigious as Virtus, in a lovely city like Rome. I'm excited for the team we're putting together, I can not wait to meet my new teammates and to take the field."
His teammates will include Iowa State grad Melvin Ejim, who just signed with Virtus Roma a few days ago; former Syracuse player Brandon Triche, who signed with the team last week; former Louisiana Tech player Kyle Gibson; and point guard Perry Petty.
Blessed to begin my professional career with historic @VirtusRoma. Excited for what the future holds!!
— Jordan Morgan (@JustJMo) July 27, 2014
Should be a pretty decent team too. Ejim gave Michigan fits this year.
Excited for JMo to take on Rome and for the team to visit him later this summer, but someone should tell him basketball is played on a court. You would think he has played long enough to know that.
What a winner!
double win...
continue his basketball career. Best of luck to him.
Honestly, I can't think of many better things to do after college than live in Italy for a bit and get paid handsomely to play a game for half the year.
I don't know what it's like with this team, but I know that a lot of the European teams do not pay handsomely. Still should be a fun time, at the very least.
These guys get treated pretty well. I know a guy from high school who ended up playing at MSU and then went on to play in Europe. They get paid 80-100K and it is untaxed. That is a pretty good chunk of money. On top of that the club usually provides and apartment and a car and food.
So while it certainly isn't NBA money, and I guess it depends on your definition of "being paid handsomely", $100,000 untaxed with living expenses covered on top of it is doing pretty well.
Man, I'd kill to have my loan ayments be only $200 a month. Try $550. #gradskool
He isn't making NBA money, but he isn't going into debt so he he can bust his ass in Law School (as did I) nor is he making 40K in some random job. He is geting paid (is it really tax free?!) pretty well to play basketball in Rome! There are worse ways to spend your mid-20s.
Of course, he can do that for a few years and then come back to law school or whatever path he wants to pursue.
The first 97k isn't subject to US tax. Italian tax depends on their tax code.
In limited minutes, he had a great last game with obvious enthusiasm from his coach. That team had no need for a center, but if the showcase helped him get to play in a city like Rome with enough English-speakers to make the transition easy... A great opportunity.
For those interested in learning about the team, LINK to Virtus Roma's Euroleague (English-language) website page. Obviously this news is hot of the press and hasn't gotten there yet, but there's another Jordan on their posted roster (which is obviously about to change): Jordan Taylor from Wisconsin. Apparently in a rebuilding phase from some down years, but I was surprised that the team was founded in 1960.
The current roster (not yet complete) is available on the Eurobasket site here. That site also gives a rundown of former Wolverines (click on "former players") and where they're currently playing. I hadn't heard that Corey Person recently played for a semipro team called the North Dallas Vandals.
Virtus Roma has had some big-name players on its roster over the years, including George Gervin, Michael Cooper, and Rick Mahorn (per wikipedia).
So Jordan isn't human but plays one on TV.
...not making a joke (okay, maybe a little, but his game brought it on himself) or trying to make the thread about the guy, but anyone know if Aaron Craft signed with a Euro team?
He was an all-time favorite to root against, and rightfully so, but in a weird way...if he plans to continue playing basketball, I kinda/sorta wish him well in landing with a team overseas.
I'll still laugh like crazy if a .gif pops up of a Craft-like moment in a Euro jersey, but I hope someone gives him a shot to shoot that terrible shot should he want it.
Did someone say Aaron Craft gif?
Buona fortuna, JMo!
Glad I didn't buy that T-Wolves jersey for my kids. Hope he keeps that chip on his shoulder. Still hope to see him in the states.