The Kansas basketball program has seen its fair share of NBA talent over the years, with 13 former Jayhawks currently making their mark in the league, including Marcus Morris.
Marcus and his twin brother Markieff have been standout forwards in the NBA for more than a decade. Despite being 34 years old, Marcus continues to showcase his scoring prowess. Recently, he inked a late-season contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers, assuming a bench role. In Cleveland’s season-ending defeat to the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, Morris delivered his most impressive performance since joining the team.
Coach JB Bickerstaff’s Cavaliers were already shorthanded without key players like Donovan Mitchell, Jarrett Allen, and Caris LeVert. They needed significant contributions off the bench in a crucial elimination game, and Morris stepped up admirably, despite the loss.
Logging 34 minutes on the court, the Philadelphia native was on fire, shooting an impressive 10-for-13 from the field. He racked up 25 points, sinking 5-of-6 attempts from beyond the arc. Although he was sidelined in Game 1 and played sparingly in subsequent matchups, Morris demonstrated that he still possesses the ability to perform effectively in critical moments.
During the regular season, Morris experienced a notable decrease in playing time, marking his lowest minute total since his rookie year. He appeared in 37 games for the Philadelphia 76ers before joining the Cavaliers for 12 games. Despite this, the seasoned veteran fulfilled his role as a team leader and nearly propelled Cleveland to a Game 6 victory. While the outcome was not what he hoped for, Morris’s performance offers promising signs for his future.
After being bought out by the San Antonio Spurs following a trade, Morris found himself without a team. However, his stint with the Cavaliers may have revitalized his career and secured him a permanent place in Cleveland.