Meanwhile, West on the 10 Freeway in Westwood
May 23, 2008 by Kevin Hunter
Filed under Basketball
While USC deals with the mess caused by one hit wonder O.J. Mayo, UCLA has landed one of the top recruits in the nation in J’mison (no joke. That’s the actual spelling) Morgan, a 6-foot-11, 250 pound center from Oak Cliff High in Dallas. Morgan is expected to replace another one hit wonder, Kevin Love at center.
Love opted out for the NBA after just one season. But unlike his rival from across town, Love’s one an only season was a successful one as he helped lead the Bruins to a third straight Final Four.
Morgan’s mother Bianca Morgan confirmed this week that besides UCLA, J’mison was also considering Kansas and Cincinnati. But let’s face it – it’s hard to turn down a school that has one of the best coaches in the country in Ben Howland, and one of the top recruiting classes in the nation that includes guards Malcolm Lee, Jerime Anderson, Jrue Holiday, and power forward Drew Gordon.
Morgan originally signed with LSU last, but was released from his letter of intent by the Tigers after Coach John Brady was fired and replaced by former Stanford coach Trent Johnson.
During his senior year in high school Morgan averaged 13.5 points, 11.0 rebounds and four blocks a game and was rated as one of the top 5 high school centers in the nation.
With the addition of Morgan, the Bruins are loaded with incredible talent and it’s safe to say that one or more Final Four runs is not out of the question.
At press time it is not known how long Morgan is expected to stay at UCLA and whether or not he as hired an agent.
