Lake Washington star Morrison leaves UNC
 |
|
||||||||||
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — Three years ago, Brian Morrison became the first Washington high-school player to receive a North Carolina basketball scholarship.
Yesterday, Morrison announced he would transfer from UNC and play his final two seasons of college basketball at another school, though he gave no indication where that might be.
"This was a very difficult decision for me to make, but I believe it's best if I pursue another school to finish my collegiate basketball career," Morrison said in a statement released by the school.
Morrison, a 6-foot-2 guard, graduated from Lake Washington High School in 2000.
In his sophomore season, Morrison averaged 7.1 points and led the team with 42 three-pointers. He scored a season-high 21 points in a December victory over Georgia Tech, but his field-goal percentage was 34.2 percent.
Morrison's minutes declined in the final month of the season as North Carolina finished 8-20 and missed the NCAA tournament for the first time in 27 years.
"I don't want people to make judgments about the coaches, my academics, the university or my feelings for Carolina basketball," Morrison said in the statement. "I just think I will be more successful if I move on to another situation."
Morrison chose North Carolina over Syracuse. He was recruited by Bill Guthridge, who retired as coach before Morrison enrolled at the school. Matt Doherty, previously at Notre Dame, took the job at North Carolina and has been Morrison's coach for two seasons.
Morrison is in Chapel Hill, where he will complete the semester. He was given his release by North Carolina, which means coaches from other schools can talk to Morrison.
Morrison is just beginning to compile a list of schools to which he will consider transferring. Because Morrison has not redshirted at North Carolina, he has three years to complete two seasons of eligibility.
Doherty said in the school's statement he was disappointed Morrison is leaving, but he "agreed it was in his best interest to find another opportunity for him to finish his college career."
In the last six games of the season, Morrison averaged 2.8 points and 12.5 minutes per game. In the previous 22 games, he averaged 8.3 points and 18.1 minutes.
Times staff reporter Danny O'Neil contributed to this report.