Morris Loves To Play The Game Of Basketball
12/22/1999 7:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Dec. 22, 1999
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - On the court, Terence Morris is key in executing the plays coach Gary Williams draws up, but off the court he's the one doing the drawing.
Morris, a 21-year-old junior forward for the University of Maryland Terrapins, is a student in the Art Studio program. "I like to draw a lot, like sketches of things," says Morris
It stands to reason that a player with such good hands on the floor could also use that control with a pencil and sketch pad. Ironically, Morris thinks his dribbling skills are something he needs to work on.
"I'm going to work on a few things, such as ball handling and taking somebody off the dribble," says Morris, the preseason ACC Player of the Year.
The All-America candidate deflects praise about his recent honor. "It's just a really good recognition. I think my team deserves [it] as much as I do. Without them, I wouldn't have this award."
The 6-foot-9 athlete's strength lies in his versatility. As a sophomore, he made the top 10 in the conference in six categories: field goal percentage, blocks, free throw percentage, rebounds, scoring and steals.
"I'm taller than most three-guards, and quicker than most fours (forwards)," says Morris.
He led his team last season in rebounding (7.1 rpg) and blocked shots (2.3 bpg), on his way to being the fourth sophomore in school history to earn All-ACC first team honors. He also finished second in scoring (15.3 ppg), field goal shooting (.551) and free throw shooting (.825) for the team.
During the 1998-99 campaign, Morris blocked more shots (77) than the entire Wake Forest team combined (64).
Morris made the switch from being primarily an inside player to playing both inside and outside when he came from Thomas Johnson High in Frederick, Md. to UMD. "It was a little adjustment, not much of a big jump for me. That's just being a player - doing some things you're comfortable with, and some things you're not."
Morris says he chose Maryland in part because of its closeness to his home - and his mother and six siblings. "I wanted my family to be able to see me. I try to set a good example for them."
Morris says his four brothers and two sisters all attempted to play basketball like their big brother. Eventually, they all gave up, leaving Morris as the sole hoopster in the family.
Though there were some who thought Morris should head for the NBA after last season, he chose to stick it out in College Park. "I don't think I was ready to make that jump. There's a lot for me to learn yet," says Morris. "Besides, I like being a college student."
He's humble about his success, and emphasizes that he has much to learn. "I really think I have a problem defending shorter, quicker people outside. I think I need to work a little harder," the lifetime Maryland resident says.
"Hopefully I'm still rising. I'll learn more each year as time passes. I'm going to work on a few things."
He's optimistic that his team will improve on their 28 wins from last season. "We feel we can get right back to the Sweet 16, and go beyond, with as much talent as we have on the team."
A big part of the reason for Morris' optimism is coach Williams. "I think from last year's team to this year's team, he's taken time out. He's more of a teacher - we have a lot of young guys this year."
Unlike most basketball stars, Morris didn't play organized basketball until seventh grade, though he was a common sight on the park courts. He says he made the decision to play on a team when it became too cold to play outside.
Morris' reasons for playing are simple: "I just love to play. This is something I just wanted to do. I love to play - anytime, anywhere.
By Jennifer Roes School Sports
