Markieff Morris wanted to be a Phoenix Sun
Jun 24, 2011, 3:23 PM | Updated: 5:32 pm
When the Phoenix Suns selected Markieff Morris with the No. 13 overall pick, they filled a team need as well as a personal desire.
Morris was obviously just happy to be drafted, but he was also content to go to Phoenix as he told his former coach, Bill Self, he wanted to be a member of the Suns. A story the coach relayed to local media on a conference call.
“As he’s sitting there with the Morris twins, he says ‘okay guys, where do you want to go?'” Sports 620 KTAR’s Doug Franz said about the call with Self. “Markieff Morris says I want to go to Phoenix.”
While Marcus may be considered the better of the two twins, Markieff is a low-post and defensive presence which is something that was desperately needed in Phoenix.
“If you would’ve told me before the draft the Suns were going to draft Marfieff Morris ahead of Marcus, I would’ve said that’s not that great, but I wouldn’t have cared,” Franz said. “I understood they took need over best available. They do need more of a rebounding threat.”
As a member of the Kansas Jayhawks, Morris averaged 14 points and eight rebounds per game. The Suns can certainly use the help on the glass as they finished last season with the second worst rebounding differential in the NBA.
Morris may be not be regarded as the better of the two twins, but Phoenix will benefit from his 6-10, 245 pound frame.
“The Suns want to get better on the defensive end of the floor,” Ron Wolfley said. “They’re making the transition right now. I think the Suns are making a commitment to bringing in players that can play defense.”
