Morris leaning toward NBA

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Posted 3:04PM on Thursday, June 9, 2005

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) Randolph Morris, Kentucky's starting center as a freshman, said Wednesday that he'll probably give up his final three seasons of college basketball eligibility and turn pro. Morris, speaking after a private workout for NBA teams in Chicago, spoke of Kentucky in the past tense. He has not hired an agent, though, and thus could return to the Wildcats if he removes his name from the draft by June 21. The NBA draft will be June 28. ``The pros have been my dream for a long, long time,'' said Morris, who notified Kentucky coach Tubby Smith by fax of his intention to enter the NBA draft. ``The sooner I can get there, the better. ``I think Kentucky was a positive thing for me. I learned a lot. I had a good time with the guys and the whole Kentucky atmosphere. If anything, it helped me make this decision.'' The 6-foot-10, 266-pound Morris chose Kentucky over Georgia Tech after considering a jump straight from high school to the NBA. Morris started 33 of Kentucky's 34 games this past season, averaging 8.8 points and 4.2 rebounds in 19.8 minutes per game as the Wildcats finished 28-6. Morris struggled much of the season with foul trouble he led the team with 102 fouls but played his best basketball in the NCAA tournament. He had his first career double double against Cincinnati, finishing with 11 points and 12 rebounds in a 69-60 second-round win. In a 94-88 double-overtime loss to Michigan State in a regional final, he scored 20 points. Morris said he has been told that he would be a mid-to-late first-round pick. He said he'll decide about staying in the draft after completing his private workouts for NBA teams. Morris said he has had no contact with his Kentucky teammates or coaches since entering the draft. ``They obviously know the NBA was in my dreams in the first place,'' Morris said. ``We've been on the road and they've been recruiting, so we really haven't had time to sit down and converse at all.'' Information from: Lexington Herald-Leader, http://www.kentucky.com (Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)