Sham Charania of The Athletic reports that the basketball community is mourning the passing of former NBA guard Darius Morris, who was 33 years old. Morris was selected by the Lakers in the 2011 NBA Draft out of Michigan.
He is well-known for his time spent with the Lakers, 76ers, Clippers, Grizzlies, and Nets. His remarkable four-year NBA career left a lasting impression on the sport by showcasing both talent and tenacity.
With a lifetime average of 3.3 points and 1.1 assists per game, Morris is a dominant point guard at 6 feet 4 inches. His most memorable season was with the Sixers in 2013–14, when he shot an incredible 42 percent from outside the arc and finished with 6.9 points and 2.6 assists. With time in the NBA G League and abroad in China, Russia, and France, Morris has demonstrated his abilities outside of the NBA platform.
Morris’s Magical Michigan: Helping Him Make History
Morris played for Michigan from 2009 to 2011, where he excelled as a player. Coach John Beilein helped him, especially during his second year. His season-ending total of 235 assists not only put him in fourth place all-time in the school’s history but also solidified his place among the select five players who have ever recorded 200 or more assists in a single season.
Morris received recognition for his exceptional play by being named to the All-Big Ten third team. Under Morris’ direction, the 2010–11 Wolverines had an incredible run to the NCAA tournament’s second round before losing to Duke.
Morris captured the hearts of Michigan basketball fans with his skill on the court and his crucial contribution to the team’s success, earning him a rightful position in the school’s basketball history.
In the latest episode of ‘The T-Ross Podcast’, former Phoenix Suns player Terrence Ross announced that he’s officially leaving behind his career as a basketball player.
Terrence Ross: ‘I got the basketball out of me’
Ross has been in the league for 11 seasons, last playing for the Phoenix Suns in the middle of the 2022–23 campaign, in which he averaged 9 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.0 assists in 21 games.
The veteran wing became a free agent earlier this year. And, finally getting the chance to spend more time with his family, Ross realized that it was time for him to call it quits.
Ross, who was joined by Stephen Madison, went straight to the topic and said that he was done, “I think I’m done, bro. I think that’s it. I got all the basketball out of me.”
It’s official: @TerrenceRoss is hanging it up after more than a decade in the league 😭
Drafted as the 8th overall pick in 2012 by the Raptors, Ross has played a total of 733 regular-season games for the Toronto Raptors, Orlando Magic, and Phoenix Suns and has a career average of 11 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.3 assists.
Asked by Madison when he realized that it was the end for him, Ross said that he had started to think about retiring back when he was still playing for the Orlando Magic. Around that time, he said that he was starting to get a lot of injuries, experiencing pains around his knees, numbness in his leg, and describing the horrible pain in his back like ‘he had been hit by a truck.’
Ross claims that the last two years of his career have been terrible for him since he has been so exhausted from traveling and has realized that he hasn’t spent enough time with his family, missing out on special occasions like holidays, birthdays, and family events.
The 32-year-old then added that he now realizes just how much he loved being at home with his family and “playing a dad role”.
Despite his tribulations in his final years as a basketball player, Ross said that he’s still grateful for his career and that he wouldn’t change anything.
“To have a journey like this was amazing. I had a great tenure in Toronto, Orlando, and Phoenix. I got to live my dream.”
Prominent for her exceptional basketball accomplishments, Lusia Harris passed away on Tuesday at the age of 66, her family said. In addition to becoming the first female NBA draft pick ever, Harris also created Olympic basketball history by becoming the first player to score a basket in the history of the game.
“With great sadness, we announce that Lusia Harris, The Queen of Basketball, our matriarch, sister, mother, grandmother, Olympic medalist, and angel, unexpectedly passed away in Mississippi today.” the family quoted to aol.com
The New Orleans Jazz selected Harris, a phenomenal athlete from Mississippi, in the seventh round of the 1977 NBA draft; however, Harris was unable to test out for the team because she was pregnant.
Harris’s legacy flourished as she led Delta State University to three consecutive national titles in the 1970s and won a silver medal for the United States at the 1976 Montreal Olympics, despite the NBA blocking Denise Long’s draft by the San Francisco Warriors in 1969 on the basis of gender-based criteria.
Lusia Harris: Trailblazing Legacy
Harris, who is regarded as a trailblazer in women’s basketball, made history in 1992 when she became the first Black woman to be inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame.
In 1999, she became a more enduring figure when she was inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame. Beyond her sporting accomplishments, Harris’s generosity and ground-breaking actions—such as becoming the first female Olympian basket-scorer—left a lasting impression on Mississippi, her hometown, and the world of basketball, inspiring future generations.
Harris’s career took a significant turn in 1975 when she secured a berth on the U.S. women’s squad. When women’s basketball made its historic Olympic debut the following year, Harris made history by scoring the first points in the competition’s first game.
The captivating short film “The Queen of Basketball,” which was released in 2021, captures her incredible journey and offers a personal account of her groundbreaking contributions to the game.
An enormously influential and powerful man, Bill Walton never shied away from being authentic. Walton’s remarkable career won him a spot in the Basketball Hall of Fame, making him an all-around legend on the court.
He was a two-time NCAA winner at UCLA and a two-time NBA champion. He was a passionate fun-seeker and broadcaster off the court who happily broke with traditions, all the while keeping a very serious dedication to the subjects that were most important to him.
An enormously influential and powerful man, Bill Walton never shied away from being authentic. A couple of timesFollowing a valiant fight with cancer, Walton passed away on Monday at the age of 71.
The NBA is in mourning for his loss. A celebrated player, Walton won the NBA MVP award in 1977–1978; he also finished as the Sixth Man of the Year in 1985–1986 and was selected to the league’s 50th and 75th-anniversary teams.
After an incredible collegiate career at UCLA under the iconic coach John Wooden, where Walton won three national Player of the Year awards, he achieved great success in his professional career.
Salute Bill Walton
“I regret to inform you that one of the most cherished athletes and personalities in sports history, my comrade, died away today.” Hall farmer quoted on social media.
In the basketball world, Bill Walton is still revered after being inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1993. Walton’s career was hampered by chronic foot problems, and he played in just 468 games for Portland, the San Diego, Boston, and eventually the Los Angeles Clippers.
Despite this, he set few career records with his 13.3 points and 10.5 rebounds per game. Still, he had a lasting impression on the game’s terrain, and his impact on it went beyond simple statistics.
When UCLA and Memphis faced off for the 1973 NCAA title, Bill Walton’s legacy reached its pinnacle in basketball history. The game is remembered for his incredible 21-for-22 shooting performance.
During a crucial break, Coach John Wooden’s wise counsel became apparent as the Bruins’ dominance developed. This famous moment captures not only a coach’s faith in his player but also the spirit of unyielding belief in a winning plan.
Wooden was advised to consider different strategies, but his firm response echoed with timeless wisdom: “Why? If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”
National Basketball Association also known as NBA is the top tier basketball tournament played in North America. NBA is contested by 30 teams which includes 29 teams from United States and 1 from Canada. NBA is considered as the most prestigious basketball tournament in the World. The tournament was started 75 years ago on June 6, 1946.
NBA has seen some of the players becoming global icons because of their game. Some players have carved their names as one of the most influential people on the planet. Many have set records that are still not broken. Today we will look at the top 5 NBA Players of All Time. These players have had a great impact on the game and the world with their performance.
Top 5 NBA Players of all time
5) Kobe Bryant– On the 5th spot comes Kobe Bean Bryant, he is one of the most influential Basketball Player. Kobe was known for his Mamba Mentality and his Fierce attitude towards his opponent. He was born on August 23, 1978 in Pennsylvania. Kobe is regarded as one of the Greatest Lakers Player. He was Round 1, 16th overall pick by Charlotte Hornets. He was part of the Lakers team for 20 years.
In those 20 years, he won the NBA Championship 5 Times and NBA Most Valueable Player in 2018. Kobe also won 2 Gold Medals in Olympics with the USA National Basketball Team. In 2020, he was voted Posthumously in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and was in the NBA 75th Anniversary Team in 2021. Kobe Bryant died on January 26, 2020 in a helicopter crash along with his daughter.
4) Magic Johnson– Next on the list is the Los Angeles Lakers Point Guard, Earvin “Magic” Johnson Jr. Magic was born on August 14, 1959 in Michigan. He was the first round first overall pick by the Lakers in the 1979 Draft. He was one of the greatest player of all time and is often considered as the Greatest Point Guard of all time.
Johnson played 13 seasons with Los Angeles Lakers and has won 5 NBA Championships with them. He was three time NBA most valuable player and 3 times NBA finals MVP. He was also the part of NBA 75th Anniversary Team. Magic Johnson also coached the Lakers in 1994.
3) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar – Next on the list is Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. He is one of the most influential Basketball Player of his Time. He was the first round first pick in 1969 Draft by Milwaukee Bucks. Kareem played as a centre for Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers. In his 20 year career, he won 6 NBA Championships. 1 with Milwaukee Bucks and 5 with Los Angeles Lakers. He helped the Bucks with their first Ever NBA Championship in 1971.
In his 20 year career, he was named as the NBA Most Valuable Player for 6 times and Finals MVP twice. Kareem is often considered in the top 3 NBA players of All time and is called the greatest player of all time by many NBA Lengends. He was named thrice in NBA Anniversary Team in 35th, 50th and 75th Anniversary. Kareem has left a huge impact on the game with his performance.
2) LeBron James– On second place comes LeBron Raymone James Sr. also nicknamed as King James. LeBron was born on December 30, 1984 in Ohio and was the overall first pick by Cleveland Cavaliers in 2003. James is considered as the top NBA player and is often compared to Michael Jordan. James is also one of the most wealthy sports person.
LeBron James has won the NBA Championship four times, to with Miami Heat in 2012 and 2013,one with Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016 and one with Los Angeles Lakers in 2020. He also was the NBA most valuable player four times and NBA finals MVP 4 times. He also has won 2 Gold and 1 bronze Medal in Olympics with USA National Basketball Team. He was in the NBA 75th Anniversary Team.
1) Michael Jordan– without a second thought Michael Jordan is the greatest NBA Player of all time. Jordan is known by his nicknames of Air Jordan or the Black Jesus, he was born on February 17, 1963 in New York. Jordan was one of the key reasons of NBA becoming popular in the 90s in the world. Jordan is a businessman and owns the NBA franchise of Charlotte Hornets and a NASCAR Racing team.
Michael Jordan was the Round 1, 3rd pick by Chicago Bulls in 1984 Draft. Which Chicago Bulls Jordan won the NBA Championship 6 times and was named as the NBA finyals MVP in all the six finals. He was also NBA Most Valuable Player 5 times. With all these starts we can conclude by saying that Michael Jordan is the greatest NBA player ever.
After three seasons at North Carolina, guard Caleb Love had pledged to transfer, but on Wednesday, according to Joe Tipton of On3.com, he decommitted. Love was listed by 247 Sports as the 16th-best transfer available this offseason.
For the Tar Heel’s past season, Love averaged 35.7 minutes per game, 16.7 points, 2.8 assists, and 3.7 rebounds. Averaging 18.8 points over six games, he was a key player in North Carolina’s 2022 run to the NCAA tournament championship game. Love averaged 15.1 shots per game last season, but while taking 7.4 shots from beyond the arc per game, he only shot 37.8% overall and just 29.9% on 3-pointers. This is because he is a high-volume scorer who frequently needs the ball.
Llewellyn’s Resilience Shines: Returning Stronger After Injury, Ready to Lead the Wolverines.
Dynamic Duo at Point Guard: Llewellyn and McDaniel Gear Up to Dominate the Court for Michigan
Nimari Burnett, a transfer from Alabama, and guard George Washington III, the Wolverines’ lone remaining commitment from the class of 2023, are both expected to join the team. Washington III was the Ohio Gatorade Player of the Year the previous campaign. Llewellyn isn’t fully recovered yet, though, an article on USA Today reported.
Caleb is a skilled and dynamic guard who has made his mark in the world of basketball. With his exceptional ball handling, sharp shooting, and strong court vision, he has proven to be a valuable asset to his team. Known for his relentless work ethic and competitive spirit, Caleb consistently gives his all on the court.
His ability to lead the offense and make clutch plays in crucial moments has earned him recognition and respect from both teammates and opponents. Caleb’s passion for the game and his commitment to continuous improvement make him a formidable force on the basketball court.
Caleb’s Journey: From Tar Heel to Wolverine – A New Chapter Begins
After Llewellyn’s injury, McDaniel—a true freshman last year—became the starter. His shooting improved after a sluggish start to the season; over the Wolverines’ final eight games, he averaged 13.8 points, 3.5 assists, 2.5 rebounds, and 1.3 steals while shooting 43.3% from outside.
