Former Los Angeles Lakers star Darius Morris has died at the age of 33. The NBA team announced on Twitter that Morris died on May 2.
“We are heartbroken by the passing of Darius Morris,” the Lakers shared. The team also shared an image of Morris wearing his No. 1 Lakers jersey.
Morris’ family confirmed the news in a statement to TMZ. “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved son, Darius Aaron Morris. During this time of transition, his family asks that you respect their wishes for privacy and grace.”
According to the outlet, Morris’ body was discovered Thursday in the Los Angeles area. Other details about his death are unknown at this time.
Morris rose to prominence during his time at the University of Michigan, where he earned third-team All-Big Ten Conference honors in his sophomore season. He also broke the school’s single-season record for assists that same year with 235.
Morris was a second-round pick of the Lakers in 2011, where he played for two seasons alongside Kobe Bryant. During his time in the NBA, he played for the Philadelphia 76ers, Los Angeles Clippers, Memphis Grizzlies and Brooklyn Nets. He left the league in 2015 and played for teams in Russia and France.
Darius Morris says he learned to ‘stay ready’ during his first NBA season
During an interview with ESPN in 2012, Darius Morris talked about the biggest lessons he learned during his first NBA season. Biggest lesson from him: “stay prepared.”
“As young players, we accept it, because you see how quickly things can happen,” Morris explained at the time. “I wasn’t even getting dressed and active, and then Steve Blake falls and I’m thrown into the fire. “That right there.”
“Everyone has their little moments. Or Dev (Ebanks), not being in the rotation and Kobe goes out. You’d never expect it… It’s just something you have to do. This is your career. “They pay you to be prepared and have no excuses.”
Although he admitted it wasn’t the best season for him, Darius Morris said it made him mentally stronger. “Just being able to go through adversity and in terms of how to handle it and where to feed it, that disappointment.”
“Just trying harder on the court and I think it will definitely help me in the offseason, just to get noticed next season, even in Summer League.”
Categories: Biography
Source: vcmp.edu.vn