<span style="font-family:Arial">I have set it up to interview former NBA player Toree Morris. He was a rookie who spent time with the Raptors a few seasons ago. He attended Pittsburgh, where he played basketball for college. He has been released by the Raptors and currently playing overseas, but is looking to sign with a team in the near future.<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Prior to Pittsburgh: A second-team All-State selection...Ranked among the nation's Top 100 prospects by Insiders Report...Tabbed a "diamond in the rough" by recruiting expert Bob Gibbons...Holds his school record with nine blocked shots in a game and 150 blocked shots in a single season...Averaged 18 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks per game as a senior...Averaged 10 points and seven rebounds as a junior...Helped Clinton to three consecutive district championships and a three-year record of 79-20...coached by Don and Chris Lockard.</div>Basketball World: What inspired you to play basketball? <span style="color:red">Toree Morris</span>: Well, my dad was a ball player and so he really got me into it seriously, but I was trying to follow his footsteps.Basketball World: Which team is your favorite?<span style="color:red">Toree Morris</span>: Well, I don't have a favorite team. I've always liked individual players. but growing up, I loved the Bulls, Rockets, and Lakers. I guess I'm a bigger Laker fan than anything. Basketball World: Which player do you admire the most?<span style="color:red">Toree Morris</span>: Shaquille O'NealBasketball World: Which player do you model your game after?<span style="color:red">Toree Morris</span>: When I was younger, I liked Hakeem, but I started to like Shaq's game when he hit the basketball scene. Now I have my own game.Basketball World: How did you end up playing with the Toronto Raptors? <span style="color:red">Toree Morris</span>: Well, I have some people with connections that made it happen.Basketball World: Who is your favorite player of all time?<span style="color:red">Toree Morris</span>: Well, it's a toss-up. I'd have to say Shaq. I loved Charles Barkley, Pat Ewing, of course Michael Jordan. I liked alot of players, but Shaq is my favorite of all time.Basketball World: While being on the Raptors active roster this Preseason, which player did you enjoy playing with the most?<span style="color:red">Toree Morris</span>: I enjoyed playing with all the guys. but I'd have to say Chris Bosh, Charlie Villananuva, Jose Calderon, Mike James, all of them really. Playing with someone as good as Chris makes playing so much fun and easier.Basketball World: What is the biggest difference between playing college ball and playing at a pro level?<span style="color:red">Toree Morris</span>: The opportunities to make plays are fewer because everyone is better. So u need to be on your game that much more. the transitions are quicker. Example: when teams get the rebound, they're trying to push it every time. You have to be in good shape, players are also more aware.Basketball World: To get a second chance, would you consider going to the D-League to gain more experience? <span style="color:red">Toree Morris</span>: Actually, yes. that's what I'm in the process of doing now.Basketball World: What tips would you give for kids in high school hoping to play pro/college ball?<span style="color:red">Toree Morris</span>: Search for answers. Always try to get better and don't be satisfied with where your at, always try to get better. Understand what it is that you do good, find out what a team wants and needs and perfect it.Basketball World:If you could compare yourself to another player in the NBA, who would it be, and why?<span style="color:red">Toree Morris</span>: Hmmm, well I don't know. I know some people may compare me to different players, but I'm just trying to be the best me I can be, and constantly try to live up to the standards of excellence that I set for myself. That's all.Basketball World: Would you rather be the worst player on the best team or the best player on the worst team?<span style="color:red">Toree Morris</span>: It's funny you say that, because I was at the bottom of a winning team in college. I saw players in my league at the same position that were on losing teams, but were playing and had a chance to develop into a better player. I want to play but I want to win. I want to be the best player that I can be to make my team the best team that it can be.Basketball World: You're obviously a big guy, how much do you bench press?<span style="color:red">Toree Morris</span>: 325 pounds.Basketball World: Which NBA player is the toughest to guard, in your opinion?<span style="color:red">Toree Morris</span>: Kobe Bryant is torching the league right now, but there's a lot. Personally Chris Bosh is a tough guard, he's very versatile.Basketball World: Have you ever thought about playing overseas?<span style="color:red">Toree Morris</span>: Yeah, I've played in Spain, and let me tell you. The competition is very strong over there. The ABC is ranked as the 2nd best league in the world right now in terms of overall talent level, next to the NBA.Basketball World: Who is the nicest NBA player you have ever met?<span style="color:red">Toree Morris</span>: Joey Graham, he's a cool dude. Channing Frye is cool too.Basketball World:What is it like playing for Sam Mitchell?<span style="color:red">Toree Morris</span>: He's a demanding coach, but a fun one to play for. I liked him and the whole staff. Coach Mitchell is a player's coach, but he demands respect. I liked playing for him.Basketball World: What it was like in the Raptors locker room?<span style="color:red">Toree Morris</span>: The locker room is real cool. There's a cool player's lounge, the training room is nice, it has a hot tub, cold tub, and a steam room. It's a big locker room. The guys were really cool and laid back too, which was fun.Basketball World: What was your favorite college experience?<span style="color:red">Toree Morris</span>: My senior year, when I had a great game against Uconn in the Big East Championship tournament game. I think it was the best game of my career, I have lots of good experiences.Basketball World: Do you ever see yourself on an NBA roster in the future?<span style="color:red">Toree Morris</span>: Yes.Basketball World: Which team would you prefer?<span style="color:red">Toree Morris</span>: It doesn't matter, whatever team picks me up is looking for a physical interior defender, rebounder, and a big athletic center that can help the team. So that's what they would get.Basketball World: What was your most embarrassing basketball moment?<span style="color:red">Toree Morris</span>: Man, I would have to say my freshman year in college. We were playing Mississippi State in the NIT and a tiny kid named Zimmerman came through the lane, and dunked on me. I saw him coming and was like "I'm gonna block this" but he jumped so high and so fast, he just floated by me. I was just watching like "man, he's way to high."Basketball World: Out of all the NBA players you have met, which one is the funniest?<span style="color:red">Toree Morris</span>: Well, the funniest player I met was a free agent too. Bryant Matthews is the funniest cat I ever met. Eric Williams was funny, and Channing Frye is funny too. I'm funnier than all of them, though.</span>
This is the real deal, Balla did this interview a couple months ago, some of you may have missed it..
<span style="font-family:Arial">Yeah, it's real. Chevy Troutman played with Morris at Pitt, I know Chevy because he used to go to my high school. He hooked me up with Morris for this interview.I am still trying to get Chris Taft...</span>
That's pretty sweet. In summer league when Toree was playing with the Raps, Toree's best friend joined the official Toronto Raptors forum, it was pretty neat. He knew everything and would call Toree to ask him stuff. It's too bad that he got cut.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>That's cool meeting a NBA Player</div>Technically not a NBA player as he never made the final rosters. Also, where is this guy now? Just wondering if he's still playing.
<span style="font-family:Arial">He's trying to get into D-League, once there he will try to grab a roster spot again.</span>
Sorry for bumping an old topic, but what's the latest with Toree? And how about that interview with Taft?
Torre actualy play with Unia Tarnow (polish league) he's one of best rebounding player in league (8.9 per game is a II score in league) his point average is 11.6 point per game. Unia tarnow is a polish league outsider (last in league table) with finanse problems. Actualy in Unia play only 7 (seven ) ballers! Unia's standings is 2-17 link: http://plk.pl/?sub=player&id=1041
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Shock G @ Feb 23 2007, 09:43 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Torre actualy play with Unia Tarnow (polish league) he's one of best rebounding player in league (8.9 per game is a II score in league) his point average is 11.6 point per game. Unia tarnow is a polish league outsider (last in league table) with finanse problems. Actualy in Unia play only 7 (seven ) ballers! Unia's standings is 2-17 link: http://plk.pl/?sub=player&id=1041</div><span style="font-family:Arial">It's great to see him doing well over there. I haven't talked to him in ages...</span>
