Is J'mison Morgan A Possible Future Recruit?

ADLER · July 12, 2009

Is J'mison 'BoBo' Morgan a possible future UNT recruit?

Why not?

None of this is from any inside information. It's a result of having recently talked with some UCLA fans, reading the UCLA message boards, and a few article from the press that covers UCLA basketball.

The 6 foot 10, 270 pound center from South Oak Cliff that switched his 2008 letter of intent from LSU to UCLA has discovered that things are not working out so well in Los Angeles. The UCLA team is very deep in talented players and runs a system that isn't ideal for Morgan's abilities.

Result: Morgan hasn't been receiving much playing time because he hasn't been developing at the desired pace. And he hasn't been developing at the desired pace because he hasn't been receiving much playing time. He's caught in a catch 22. Meanwhile, other quicker players better suited for his coach Howland's system are garnering more playing time and are passing Morgan on the depth chart. The recent 5 Star player may wind up transferring out of UCLA.

Morgan has recently committed to playing another year at UCLA, but even that may be a mistake. UCLA wants to retain him for bench depth and certain man to man defensive situations where he's used to 'goon' an opposing player. For a player that had future NBA aspirations when he came out of high school, being lost in a depth chart shuffle for even one more year could have very expensive circumstances. BoBo needs to be somewhere where he will have a featured role and can keep those NBA aspirations valid.

Morgan is a very solid player, he's just not very well suited for UCLA's system. Morgan would be a dominant player in the Sun Belt, would develop his game by actually getting to play, and would still have many opportunities to showcase his abilities against excellent opponents.

J'mison Morgan's father Ronnie Morgan starred in basketball at North Texas after being an all-state player at SOC. Ronnie was the leading rebounder and second highest scorer on North Texas' 1986 NCAA Tournament team. After college Ronnie Morgan spent 7 years playing basketball professionally overseas to support his family and missed much of the childhood of his children. Ronnie and his wife, former South Oak Cliff cheerleader Bianca, live in the Dallas area and they would be able to attend all of J'mison's home games if he were to play for North Texas.

Suddenly, a transfer seems like an excellent decision for all involved, except for UCLA, which would lose a player that they are counting on for bench depth.

UNT90 · July 13, 2009

Is J'mison 'BoBo' Morgan a possible future UNT recruit?
Why not?
None of this is from any inside information. It's a result of having recently talked with some UCLA fans, reading the UCLA message boards, and a few article from the press that covers UCLA basketball.
The 6 foot 10, 270 pound center from South Oak Cliff that switched his 2008 letter of intent from LSU to UCLA has discovered that things are not working out so well in Los Angeles. The UCLA team is very deep in talented players and runs a system that isn't ideal for Morgan's abilities.
Result: Morgan hasn't been receiving much playing time because he hasn't been developing at the desired pace. And he hasn't been developing at the desired pace because he hasn't been receiving much playing time. He's caught in a catch 22. Meanwhile, other quicker players better suited for his coach Howland's system are garnering more playing time and are passing Morgan on the depth chart. The recent 5 Star player may wind up transferring out of UCLA.
Morgan has recently committed to playing another year at UCLA, but even that may be a mistake. UCLA wants to retain him for bench depth and certain man to man defensive situations where he's used to 'goon' an opposing player. For a player that had future NBA aspirations when he came out of high school, being lost in a depth chart shuffle for even one more year could have very expensive circumstances. BoBo needs to be somewhere where he will have a featured role and can keep those NBA aspirations valid.
Morgan is a very solid player, he's just not very well suited for UCLA's system. Morgan would be a dominant player in the Sun Belt, would develop his game by actually getting to play, and would still have many opportunities to showcase his abilities against excellent opponents.
J'mison Morgan's father Ronnie Morgan starred in basketball at North Texas after being an all-state player at SOC. Ronnie was the leading rebounder and second highest scorer on North Texas' 1986 NCAA Tournament team. After college Ronnie Morgan spent 7 years playing basketball professionally overseas to support his family and missed much of the childhood of his children. Ronnie and his wife, former South Oak Cliff cheerleader Bianca, live in the Dallas area and they would be able to attend all of J'mison's home games if he were to play for North Texas.
Suddenly, a transfer seems like an excellent decision for all involved, except for UCLA, which would lose a player that they are counting on for bench depth.

We can always dream. It would seem logical, but I bet he would look at Baylor before UNT (major conference competition and immediate playing time).

Not to be nit-picky, but it was the 1988 NCAA tournament team on which Ronnie Morgan played. He wasn't 40, but he was definitely a man.

ADLER · July 13, 2009

We can always dream. It would seem logical, but I bet he would look at Baylor before UNT (major conference competition and immediate playing time).
Not to be nit-picky, but it was the 1988 NCAA tournament team on which Ronnie Morgan played. He wasn't 40, but he was definitely a man.

Nothing against Baylor, but he could run into some of the same situations there that he is facing at UCLA, a logjam at the center position. Plus Waco is over a hundred miles from his home, that is quite a round-trip drive for friends and family that want to watch all his games. In high school his parents arranged their work schedules to be able to watch all their son's games. Would that even be possible for weeknight games in Waco, I doubt it.

He could be a star player at North Texas; a school close to home and the very same one where his father is in the Hall of Fame.

And, yes, I remember the date that Ronnie went to the NCAA tourney as 1988; it's just that my defective keyboard occasionally mistypes numbers or creates spelling errors.

Edited July 22, 2009 by ADLER

mean green d · July 13, 2009

That would be so sweet to get a player of his caliber. We should have lofty ambitions in recruiting like this.

GMG

forevereagle · July 13, 2009

Nothing against Baylor, but he could run into some of the same situations there that he is facing at UCLA, a logjam at the center position. Plus Waco is over a hundred miles from his home, that is quite a round-trip drive for friends and family that want to watch all his games. In high school his parents arranged their work schedules to be able to watch all their son's games. Would that even be possible for weeknight games in Waco, I doubt it.
He could be a star player at North Texas; a school close to home and the very same one where his father is in the Hall of Fame.

But if he cared so much about his parents watching his games, why go to UCLA?

greenminer · July 13, 2009

Emmanuel Moody.

Spin it all you want..I hope he lands here, but won't believe until I see it.

ADLER · July 14, 2009

Emmanuel Moody.
Spin it all you want..I hope he lands here, but won't believe until I see it.

Guys, this is purely wild speculation, nothing more.

Simply put; Morgan was one of the very top recruits in the nation coming out of high school. At the time, people wondered how long he'd stay at college before opting for the NBA. He signed with UCLA which had just lost it's own dominant big man as the 5th pick in the NBA draft. Everything looked like it was going to plan.

Morgan showed up at UCLA and they didn't really need a player of his size for their system. Morgan was used sparingly. He was told that he would now need to be much lighter and quicker in order to get significant playing time.

Morgan has since gone on a special diet and conditioning program to transform himself.

see the video on Scout.com

He will surely leave if he still does not see significant playing time this coming year. If he does leave, he would then have to sit a year before having 2 years of eligibility remaining. If he does leave, would his best option be to go somewhere that they could work him into the rotation, or somewhere that he would be the featured player? A featured player at a college close to home, where he has family connections, where his friends and family could watch every game he played?

Time will tell, he's been everything he was billed to be, he has done everything he's been asked to do, but I see this potential NBA talent as not getting a chance to develop because of Coach Howland's system.

Edited January 4, 2010 by ADLER

untgeorge · July 19, 2009

Morgan showed up at UCLA and they didn't really need a player of his size for their system. Morgan was used sparingly. He was told that he would now need to be much lighter and quicker in order to get significant playing time.
Time will tell, he's been everything he was billed to be, he has done everything he's been asked to do, but I see this potential NBA talent as not getting a chance to develop because of Coach Howland's system.

It is not correct to believe that a potential NBA talent will not get a chance to develop because of Howland's system; UCLA center Kevin Love was 6-10 255 and was 5th player taken in the 2008 NBA draft. In fact Howland's previous HC job was at Pitt and he brought Big East style physical basketball to UCLA. A good big should thrive under Howland.

Howland is a great coach who is frequently in the final four (he has taken teams from three schools to the Final Four) and has a good chance of getting there again this season. If Morgan is not getting playing time, it is likely because others are playing better. Not because of Howland's sytem.

Quickness could be the real issue. If he was told to lose weight, possibility it was to enable him to increase his quickness.

Not to say he wouldn't be a great add for UNT if we could get him. But he hasn't left UCLA yet.

ADLER · December 6, 2009

Through six games this season, J'mison has only gotten off the bench to play in three games, has only averaged four minutes in those three games, and has only taken two shots, making one basket so far this season.

Included in those six games are losses to Cal State Fullerton, Butler, Long Beach State, and a 47-74 loss to Portland.

UCLA has already signed all-world 6-foot-10 275-pound Josh Smith to take over the starting center position next season.

It's a bad situation for J'mison and it does not appear that it will be getting better.

He's the son of one of our North Texas all-time greats. He came out of high school with legitimate NBA aspirations and it seems like he'll never get a chance to develop his game at UCLA.

untgeorge · December 6, 2009

Through six games this season, J'mison has only gotten off the bench to play in three games, has only averaged four minutes in those three games, and has only taken two shots, making one basket so far this season.
Included in those six games are losses to Cal State Fullerton, Butler, Long Beach State, and a 47-74 loss to Portland.
UCLA has already signed all-world 6-foot-10 275-pound Josh Smith to take over the starting center position next season.
It's a bad situation for J'mison and it does not appear that it will be getting better.
He's the son of one of our North Texas all-time greats. He came out of high school with legitimate NBA aspirations and it seems like he'll never get a chance to develop his game at UCLA.

He is not playing at UCLA because others are playing better. Despite his HS credentials he won't have a shot at the NBA if he can't beat out his peers at UCLA.

That having been said, he certainly could be a force in the Sun Belt.

ADLER · January 4, 2010

J'mison Morgan has been placed so far down the depth chart at UCLA that he is barely getting a chance to play.

Through 14 games this season he hasn't gotten to play at all in three games, and has played just a few minutes in the games that he participated.

UCLA player stats from ESPN

Last night he got into the UCLA game for less than two minutes. There's no way he's going to develop his game with that little of playing time.

J'mison could, (and should) be a star player at North Texas. I would love to see this young man transfer before the Spring Semester starts as there's no reason to waste any more of his valuable eligibility sitting on UCLA's bench.

Here's his ESPN evaluation prior to him signing with UCLA:

Evaluation
Morgan has all the physical tools to be an impact center at the high major level. He has an impressive frame (extremely long arms), broad shoulders, and overall great length for the five spot. Despite his size he gets off of the floor remarkably quick and has excellent timing around the basket at both ends. He is a very good rebounder and possesses nice instincts around the basket. He is capable of running the floor, but is not very fluid in that area of his game. As with most "bigs" his defense is ahead of his offense. Morgan is one of the most prolific shot blockers in the country due to his long arms and quick reactions. Offensively, his post skills are raw and he needs to develop a go-to move other than a dunk. In addition, Morgan needs to utilize his impressive frame more effectively when posting up - he allows defenders to come around him too often to deflect entry passes. However, an area that he is quite good at despite his youth is his patience while posting up - he reads defenses very well and usually delivers a pin-point pass to an open teammate. Overall, despite his raw offensive game, Morgan will be recruited at the highest level and should have a very productive college career.

All that is being wasted by sitting at UCLA.

Edited January 6, 2010 by ADLER

TheTastyGreek · January 6, 2010

Morgan had a brief uptick of playing time while Bruins forward James Keefe was out with a shoulder injury. With Keefe injured, Morgan was given double digit minutes (for the first time since December 2008) in six straight games.

21 points in 6 games, never more than 5 in any contest.

Now, Keefe is back healthy, and Morgan (as ADLER noted) has played two minutes in each of the past two games against Arizona and Arizona State.

All this happens after fellow sophomore Drew Gordon, a post player who was averaging over 24 minutes and 11 points per outing, transferred after just 6 games. He just announced that he'll be going to New Mexico rather than Texas or any of the ACC teams that contacted him, because he wants to be a focal point in the offense immediately.

So... After one of the starters and top scorers on the team (who happens to be from the same recruiting class as Morgan) decided to transfer mid-year, AND one of the reserves missed three weeks with a shoulder injury... Morgan still doesn't get more than 16 minutes or 5 points in any game. And next year, as ADLER mentioned, Josh Smith is coming to eat up even more rotation minutes.

Based on the playing time decisions in the two games since Keefe returned... This year's window of opportunity seems to have closed. It only gets harder again next season. And even the guys who are getting the opportunities (like Gordon) are shipping out because they don't like the offensive limitations that UCLA's system puts on them.

It's an unfortunate situation for such a talented young man. But it appears that if J'mison Morgan wants to play basketball beyond college, he'll need to go somewhere else in order to get the game experience and opportunity to showcase his talent and ability.

North Texas spring classes start January 19th. UCLA plays three more games between now and then. I doubt we see a mid-year transfer to any school by Morgan, but if he did... And if he decided to consider coming to North Texas... The opportunity for a mid-year transfer is still on the table and Morgan could play next January. He could either redshirt next season and play two full years in 2011-12 and 2012-13, or forego the redshirt and play half of the 2010-11 season and a full year in 2011-12.

Why mid-year transfer? Why not wait until after the season and avoid losing half a year of eligibility? Because then he could join us in time for conference play next season, slotting in to Eric Tramiel's position and teaming with Josh, Dom, George, and Tristan (and Thomas, Shorter, Holmen, Mangrum, Hogans, and everyone else currently on the roster besides Tramiel) to lead us to what would probably be the greatest conference record this school has ever seen.

I'm not a big believer in transcendental meditation or long-distance psychic communication... But maybe if everyone concentrates really hard at the exact same time, we can communicate with Morgan sometime in the next week and a half, before the mid-year clock runs out. I don't think there's any NCAA recruiting violation in that.

UCLA is a great school in a fun place for a young man to live. But if he wants to play basketball for a living, its going to be tough to show his stuff there. There's still time to come here and take over a starting job 12 months from now, with a great team surrounding him and the opportunity to dominate the Sun Belt and potentially make some noise in the NCAA Tournament.

It's highly, highly unlikely. But for the next week and a half, it's at least possible. Consider it something pleasant to daydream about as a distraction from the injuries that keep piling up.

untgeorge · January 6, 2010

Morgan had a brief uptick of playing time while Bruins forward James Keefe was out with a shoulder injury. With Keefe injured, Morgan was given double digit minutes (for the first time since December 2008) in six straight games.
21 points in 6 games, never more than 5 in any contest.
Now, Keefe is back healthy, and Morgan (as ADLER noted) has played two minutes in each of the past two games against Arizona and Arizona State.
All this happens after fellow sophomore Drew Gordon, a post player who was averaging over 24 minutes and 11 points per outing, transferred after just 6 games. He just announced that he'll be going to New Mexico rather than Texas or any of the ACC teams that contacted him, because he wants to be a focal point in the offense immediately.
So... After one of the starters and top scorers on the team (who happens to be from the same recruiting class as Morgan) decided to transfer mid-year, AND one of the reserves missed three weeks with a shoulder injury... Morgan still doesn't get more than 16 minutes or 5 points in any game. And next year, as ADLER mentioned, Josh Smith is coming to eat up even more rotation minutes.
Based on the playing time decisions in the two games since Keefe returned... This year's window of opportunity seems to have closed. It only gets harder again next season. And even the guys who are getting the opportunities (like Gordon) are shipping out because they don't like the offensive limitations that UCLA's system puts on them.
It's an unfortunate situation for such a talented young man. But it appears that if J'mison Morgan wants to play basketball beyond college, he'll need to go somewhere else in order to get the game experience and opportunity to showcase his talent and ability.
North Texas spring classes start January 19th. UCLA plays three more games between now and then. I doubt we see a mid-year transfer to any school by Morgan, but if he did... And if he decided to consider coming to North Texas... The opportunity for a mid-year transfer is still on the table and Morgan could play next January. He could either redshirt next season and play two full years in 2011-12 and 2012-13, or forego the redshirt and play half of the 2010-11 season and a full year in 2011-12.
Why mid-year transfer? Why not wait until after the season and avoid losing half a year of eligibility? Because then he could join us in time for conference play next season, slotting in to Eric Tramiel's position and teaming with Josh, Dom, George, and Tristan (and Thomas, Shorter, Holmen, Mangrum, Hogans, and everyone else currently on the roster besides Tramiel) to lead us to what would probably be the greatest conference record this school has ever seen.
I'm not a big believer in transcendental meditation or long-distance psychic communication... But maybe if everyone concentrates really hard at the exact same time, we can communicate with Morgan sometime in the next week and a half, before the mid-year clock runs out. I don't think there's any NCAA recruiting violation in that.
UCLA is a great school in a fun place for a young man to live. But if he wants to play basketball for a living, its going to be tough to show his stuff there. There's still time to come here and take over a starting job 12 months from now, with a great team surrounding him and the opportunity to dominate the Sun Belt and potentially make some noise in the NCAA Tournament.
It's highly, highly unlikely. But for the next week and a half, it's at least possible. Consider it something pleasant to daydream about as a distraction from the injuries that keep piling up.

Tough to show his stuff there? Morgan has had two years to show his stuff at a program that routinely produces NBA players, Howland has sent 3 of his recruits (Love Westbrook and Collison) and a couiple of Lavin's recruits to the NBA in 5 seasons. The only rational conclousion is that Morgan isn't playing because he hasn't earned the time, and he has not earned his time in a down year (UCLA is 6-8 to date).

This thread appears to be generated purely on speculation and "want to". Is there some evidence that he is considering a transfer? Or is this totally a pipe dream? A speculation for fun?

You guys have fonder memories of his dad than I do. At UNT Morgan had a strong 1st year then got fat and lazy. Hopefully J'mision has not followed in his father's footsteps in that respect but it is fair to be suspicious..

Now, could he help UNT if he transferred? Sure, we need the size and depth.

untgeorge · January 6, 2010

Actually, if J'mision still has dreams of getting into the NBA, likely his best chance is to get an agent and play in Europe.

TheTastyGreek · January 6, 2010

Tough to show his stuff there? Morgan has had two years to show his stuff at a program that routinely produces NBA players, Howland has sent 3 of his recruits (Love Westbrook and Collison) and a couiple of Lavin's recruits to the NBA in 5 seasons. The only rational conclousion is that Morgan isn't playing because he hasn't earned the time, and he has not earned his time in a down year (UCLA is 6-8 to date).
This thread appears to be generated purely on speculation and "want to". Is there some evidence that he is considering a transfer? Or is this totally a pipe dream? A speculation for fun?
You guys have fonder memories of his dad than I do. At UNT Morgan had a strong 1st year then got fat and lazy. Hopefully J'mision has not followed in his father's footsteps in that respect but it is fair to be suspicious..
Now, could he help UNT if he transferred? Sure, we need the size and depth.

It's all speculation, you're right. Him coming to North Texas may be a pipe dream, but I think (based on nothing but my own speculation) that it's likelier than not he'll transfer somewhere after this year.

As for his ability to crack their lineup and what that says about his talent... That's a tough place to get minutes. With all-universe talent coming in yearly, like the guys you mentioned and Gordon and Smith, even an exceptionally talented player can get lost in that shuffle.

When I say he may not get the opportunity to show what he can do, I mean that his big audition for an increased role seems to have come and gone with the Keefe injury. He's stuck in a logjam of potential first round NBA talent, and the fact that he's not getting the playing time at UCLA just means that for any one of a number of reasons, his coaches prefer the many other superforwards on that bench.

We've already seen how much less heralded players at less prestigious schools can get lost in the shuffle until coming here and getting a chance to play significant minutes. Wooden and Odufuwa are two examples just from our recent run of success. While Morgan may not be the next Kevin Love, he could go to a non-power school and have the chance to be a Jason Thompson (the Rider forward who played through his senior year and went 7 picks after Love in the 2008 draft).

Again, it's all just guessing and hypotheticals. Not meant to annoy anyone, just some wishful thinking based on how well we've served as a new home for some other transfers and how conveniently we match up with what many transfers look for in their second school.

ADLER · January 16, 2010

It's all speculation, you're right. Him coming to North Texas may be a pipe dream, but I think (based on nothing but my own speculation) that it's likelier than not he'll transfer somewhere after this year.
As for his ability to crack their lineup and what that says about his talent... That's a tough place to get minutes. With all-universe talent coming in yearly, like the guys you mentioned and Gordon and Smith, even an exceptionally talented player can get lost in that shuffle.
When I say he may not get the opportunity to show what he can do, I mean that his big audition for an increased role seems to have come and gone with the Keefe injury. He's stuck in a logjam of potential first round NBA talent, and the fact that he's not getting the playing time at UCLA just means that for any one of a number of reasons, his coaches prefer the many other superforwards on that bench.
We've already seen how much less heralded players at less prestigious schools can get lost in the shuffle until coming here and getting a chance to play significant minutes. Wooden and Odufuwa are two examples just from our recent run of success. While Morgan may not be the next Kevin Love, he could go to a non-power school and have the chance to be a Jason Thompson (the Rider forward who played through his senior year and went 7 picks after Love in the 2008 draft).
Again, it's all just guessing and hypotheticals. Not meant to annoy anyone, just some wishful thinking based on how well we've served as a new home for some other transfers and how conveniently we match up with what many transfers look for in their second school.

So true, Johnny Jones does have an established record of taking big men transfers that weren't getting significant minutes at other schools and quickly developing their games. Shawnson Johnson, Keith Wooden, and George Odufuwa are all recent Mean Green players that fit that profile; all quickly developed their games and became all-conference caliber players. I have no doubt that J'mison Morgan could also become an excellent college player.

BleedGreen · January 16, 2010

So true, Johnny Jones does have an established record of taking big men transfers that weren't getting significant minutes at other schools and quickly developing their games. Shawnson Johnson, Keith Wooden, and George Odufuwa are all recent Mean Green players that fit that profile; all quickly developed their games and became all-conference caliber players. I have no doubt that J'mison Morgan could also become an excellent college player.

So you people actually think Morgan could take minutes away from Ben Knox and Cameron Spencer? Come on!

LOL

foutsrouts · January 16, 2010

So you people actually think Morgan could take minutes away from Ben Knox and Cameron Spencer? Come on!
LOL

Morgan better hurry up and get registered if he's gonna take minutes from Spencer, because Spencer will be gone after next year. He might be able to steal a few minutes away from Knox though. <_<

TheTastyGreek · January 19, 2010

J'Mison Morgan out 2-3 weeks with a torn quadriceps.

Tough break for a guy who's college career is already not going according to plan.

Hope he gets well soon.

untgeorge · January 19, 2010

J'Mison Morgan out 2-3 weeks with a torn quadriceps.
Tough break for a guy who's college career is already not going according to plan.
Hope he gets well soon.

And, he is still at UCLA.

NT03 · March 3, 2010

LA Times calls Morgan an enigma. It's time to come home

LA_Times

untgeorge · March 3, 2010

LA Times calls Morgan an enigma. It's time to come home

LA_Times

He showed up out of shape and not ready to play. Running the court was an issue for him.

Why is this of no significance to anybody?

TheTastyGreek · March 3, 2010

He showed up out of shape and not ready to play. Running the court was an issue for him.

Why is this of no significance to anybody?

The first thing I thought when I saw someone had renewed this thread last night was "George is either shaking his head in disappointment or crying out to the heavens in frustration".

If it makes you any less annoyed that Morgan was brought up again... I'm off the "hope he transfers" bandwagon. Now that we've got Edwards to fill in, I'd rather see us get the 4 year kid from Nevada that averaged 35 ppg. I'll feel a lot better about our chances in 2011-12 if I know we'll have a guy like that sharing the backcourt with Alzee.

Edited March 3, 2010 by TheTastyGreek

Harry · March 3, 2010

Amen!

untgeorge · March 4, 2010

The first thing I thought when I saw someone had renewed this thread last night was "George is either shaking his head in disappointment or crying out to the heavens in frustration".

If it makes you any less annoyed that Morgan was brought up again... I'm off the "hope he transfers" bandwagon. Now that we've got Edwards to fill in, I'd rather see us get the 4 year kid from Nevada that averaged 35 ppg. I'll feel a lot better about our chances in 2011-12 if I know we'll have a guy like that sharing the backcourt with Alzee.

Right on.