VITALS: 6-10, 266, Kentucky OVERVIEW: A McDonald's High School All-American who averaged 23 points, 16 rebounds and eight blocks per game as a senior in 2004, Morris didn't have the dominant season that Kentucky fans hoped for. The slender center averaged 8.8 points and 4.2 rebounds in 20 minutes per game as a freshman. He posted just six double-digit scoring games against Southeastern Conference foes and finished the season with 20 points in the regional final against Michigan State. LIKELY DRAFT POSITION: Morris is hoping to work his way into a spot in the lower portion of the first round but might have a long wait. Similar prospects such as Johan Petro, Dwayne Jones and Marcin Gortat also kept their names in the draft, and Morris will have to beat out those players to hear his name in the first round. COMPARATIVE UPSIDE: Jamaal Magloire COMPARATIVE DOWNSIDE: Kevin Thompson ROLE PROJECTION: Backup center. POSITIVES: Morris has the strength to hold his position down low against NBA post defenders. He has a few offensive moves to go to against taller players and can get himself to the free-throw line. He sets solid screens and moves well around the court. Morris is most comfortable when he gets the ball in the post and can operate. SHORTCOMINGS: Morris is not an instinctive defender or shot-blocker. He gets most of his blocks against the man he is guarding and sometimes is slow to react in help defense situations. He did not play big minutes in his one season at Kentucky and could have used a lot more experience and repetition of getting the ball in the post to make him more ready for the NBA.
