Morrison shows off in Hoosier state

Last weekend's JC/Prep All-American Challenge in Indianapolis was a chance for many junior college and prep school bound players to get some time in front of college coaches who were in town for the Nike Camp or other evaluation period events. Taking advantage of that were five players from Redlands Community College in Oklahoma including Juco Junction's #1 ranked junior college player, 6-foot-7 Ty Morrison.

Morrison and his four Redlands mates teamed with a few players from Wabash Valley C.C. in Mount Carmel, Illinois. What that team did to the competition at the Indy Southside Sports Academy wasn't pretty. The squad's average winning margin had to be in the 30-point area over the five games it played in the two day event.

"I was very impressed with our team, the way we came out and attacked them on defense," said Morrison.

Morrison hails originally from Phoenix where he played at Trevor Brown High School. Last year as a freshman he averaged 10.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 3.2 assists on a Redlands' conference championship team that went 26-4. Since he will now take on the experienced vet role, he knows now is the time on working to step up offensively.

"I am trying to be a leader this year after we lost our All-American last season, Sylvester Mayes," said Morrison. "Hope to take the team on my shoulders and take us to the promised land."

"I am trying to be more aggressive and get my confidence up," added Morrison. "I've been working hard on my game all summer and I am not going to let one (bad) shot affect me."

Morrison's fine end of season play and obvious talent has many big time suitors coming his way. Saturday he went through the list of programs that have shown recent interest.

"Indiana, Washington, Texas, Missouri, Oregon, Charlotte, UNLV, Oklahoma," said Morrison. "I feel like I could go anywhere, just want the best situation. Not really a matter of wanting to go back home."

The Arizona native added that he has not decided whether he will sign early in November or not and hasn't even begun to think which colleges may get one of his five official visits.

Morrison is looking forward to his recruitment.

"I am excited about the whole process," said Morrison. "I didn't get to go through it in high school because of my grades. To see all the D1 schools here today, it is really a blessing."

This time around Morrison's academics are in order. Redlands head coach Steve Eck says Morrison had pretty much straight A's in the spring semester and pulled in a 3.3 overall GPA. He also has completed 34 credits already at the Oklahoma junior college.

Besides the improved schoolwork, Morrison is also no longer the skinny kid colleges may have seen back in his senior year in high school.

"Two years ago I was like 195-pounds," said Morrison. "Now I am about 220-pounds."

And it has made an obvious difference in his game.

"Confidence wise, I now feel like I can go in there and back with anybody and get to the rim," said Morrison. "That (strength) has really helped me."

Finally, the combo forward gave us his humble reaction to getting the honor of being named the pre-season top-ranked juco in the country.

"It really surprised me," said Morrison. "When coach called me and told me they came out with those rankings, it was cool but......I am really blessed, being ranked #1 and I am going to work really hard and hopefully my team will be #1."