Former NBA point guard Darius Morris, known for his tenure with the Los Angeles Lakers and several other teams, has tragically passed away at the age of 33. The University of Michigan, his alma mater, confirmed his death on Saturday. The cause of death has not been disclosed.
Morris made his mark in college basketball during his time at the University of Michigan, where he played under coach John Beilein. During the 2010-11 season, he set a school record with 235 assists, contributing to the team’s success in reaching the NCAA tournament.
After two standout seasons in college, Morris declared for the NBA Draft and was selected as the 41st overall pick by the Los Angeles Lakers, his hometown team. He played a role during the latter part of Kobe Bryant’s career, appearing in 67 games and averaging 3.6 points per game for the Lakers.
One notable moment came during the 2012-13 playoffs when Morris started two games in place of the injured Bryant, though the Lakers were ultimately swept in the series against the San Antonio Spurs.
Morris continued his NBA journey with stints at various teams, including the Philadelphia 76ers, Los Angeles Clippers, Memphis Grizzlies, and Brooklyn Nets. His career highlight came during the 2013-14 season with the 76ers, where he achieved a career-high 20 points in a single game.
Following his time in the NBA, Morris also ventured into the G-League and international basketball before retiring from professional play after the 2019-20 season, which he spent with French team BCM Gravelines-Dunkerque.
Darius Morris leaves behind a legacy in basketball, remembered for his contributions both on and off the court.
