2011 NBA Draft and Offseason Blog

Written by Paul Banks of the Washington Times, and David Kay of the The Sports Bank.
Send Paul an e-mail here: paulb05 AT hotmail DOT com.
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2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: John Wall Mentoring Darius Morris - June 5


Michigan Wolverines point guard Darius Morris is a hot prospect in this year's NBA Draft. Part of that is due to his breakout sophomore season. Part of it is because he's getting mentored by some of the best and biggest names in the game - like Washington Wizards point guard John Wall, the No. 1 pick in last year's NBA Draft.

"He checks in with me every once in awhile, sending me a text message here and there to see how things are going," Morris said.

"Things were a little different for him obviously going through this process, because he was a first round pick," Morris continued. "He didn't have to work out too much, but he knows to just keep working hard every day to take advantage of any opportunity that you get."



Morris also got advice from former Wolverines star and current Cleveland Cavaliers wing Manny Harris, who spoke with Morris after the outgoing sophomore made his decision.

"When I called him and informed him of my decision, we went through all the pros and cons," Morris said. "And if you do come back to college you could be a top 10 team, but if you leave, things could also not go right, and he's really just an honest guy with an honest opinion."

It's rare to find someone who doesn't have an agenda when it comes to this process. For Morris and his family, it's not about the NBA money - as his family isn't hurting for cash. It's about realizing a dream - not just for himself, but for Coach John Beilein. Morris entering the NBA would be a special milestone for the Michigan and former West Virginia coach.



"He got a little emotional because he's been coaching 30-plus years and he's never recruited somebody who actually got drafted," Morris said. "So for me to become that means a lot to me. This could be his first one, and hopefully I can be somewhere where I can see the look on his face and make him proud."

"I think this would be the first of many, especially at the University of Michigan," he added.

Morris has had individual workouts with the New York Knicks, Indiana Pacers, Houston Rockets, Portland Trail Blazers, Oklahoma City Thunder, Cleveland Cavaliers and Minnesota Timberwolves.



Recent NBA Draft and Offseason Blog Entries:

2012 NBA Draft Outstanding Trades - 12/25
2011 NBA Offseason Winners - 12/23
2011 NBA Offseason Losers - 12/23
2011 NBA Free Agency Signings Analysis - 12/22
2011 NBA Free Agency Signings Analysis - 12/20
2011 NBA Free Agency Signings Analysis - 12/16
Chris Paul Trade Analysis - 12/15
2011 NBA Free Agency Signings Analysis - 12/14
2011 NBA Free Agency Signings Analysis - 12/10
2011 NBA Free Agency Signings Analysis - 12/9
Five Players Likely to Be Traded After NBA Lockout - 7/7
2011 NBA Free Agency: Allan Houston Rule - Southwest Division - 7/6
2011 NBA Free Agency: Allan Houston Rule - Northwest Division - 7/5
2011 NBA Free Agency: Allan Houston Rule - Pacific Division - 7/3
Cavaliers-Kings Trade Recap - 7/1
2011 NBA Free Agency: Allan Houston Rule - Atlantic Division - 6/30
2011 NBA Free Agency: Allan Houston Rule - Central Division - 6/30
2011 NBA Free Agency: Allan Houston Rule - Southeast Division - 6/29
2011 NBA Draft Trade Recaps - 6/25
2011 NBA Draft: Bobcats-Kings-Bucks Three-Way Trade - 6/24
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: How Kyrie Irving Compares to John Wall and Derrick Rose - 6/23
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Is Kyrie Irving Ready to be a Franchise Point Guard - 6/23
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Kemba Walker is the Most Undervalued Player in the Draft - 6/23
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Is Derrick Williams a Power Forward or Small Forward? - 6/22
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Wait, Kansas' Marcus and Markieff Morris are Twins??? - 6/21
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Jordan Hamilton Using Yoga to Help His NBA Draft Stock - 6/18
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Tristan Thompson Benefits from Weak Draft Class - 6/17
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Kawhi Leonard's Versatility is His Biggest Asset - 6/14
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Chris Singleton is a Lottery Sleeper - 6/13
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Where Does JaJuan Johnson Fit in the NBA? - 6/11
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Kentucky's DeAndre Liggins Made Right Decision in Entering NBA Draft - 6/10
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Should a Marijuana Arrest Affect NBA Draft Stock? - 6/9
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Nolan Smith Has Different Identity On and Off Court - 6/7
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: John Wall Mentoring Darius Morris - 6/5
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Brandon Knight Worth Third Overall Pick? - 6/2
Rumor: Cavs, T-Wolves, Pistons Discussing 3-Way Trade - 5/29
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Josh Selby Putting Kansas Behind Him - 5/28
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Marshon Brooks Rising Up Draft Boards - 5/26
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Alec Burks Connected to Bobcats - 5/24
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Combine Measurements - 5/21
Thunder Really Likes Kyle Singler? - 5/21
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Day 1 - 5/20
2011 NBA Draft Lottery Odds Breakdown - 5/16
2011 NBA Free Agents - 5/3
NBA Offseason and Draft Blog - Home

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2013 NBA Mock Draft - May 22

2014 NBA Mock Draft - April 25

2013 NBA Draft Prospect Rankings: C | PF | COMBO-F | SF | COMBO-G | SG | PG

2011 NBA Mock Draft - June 23

2011 NBA Mock Draft - Walt's (June 21)

2011 NBA Mock Re-Draft

2010 NBA Mock Re-Draft

2009 NBA Mock Re-Draft

2011 NBA Draft Scouting Reports

2010-11 NBA Season Previews

2009 NBA Draft Grades





2013 Fantasy Football Rankings - May 24


2013 NBA Mock Draft - May 22


2014 NFL Mock Draft - May 21


Charlie's 2014 NFL Mock Draft - May 20


NFL Picks - Feb. 3