Jason Morris, 6-4, 177, Class of 2010 Lakeville HS, Conn.  AAU - Atlanta Celtics

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Jason holds several offers and was one of a handful of 2010 kids invited to the NBAPA Camp.  He left that camp early for the Nike Paul Pierce Skills Academy. 

He averaged 17.1 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 4.7 apg, 1.8 spg last season.  He is often listen at 6-5, but is just under 6-4.  He weighs in between 170 and 180.

He plays for the powerful Atlanta Celtics AAU cluband holds over ten offers.  He is originally from Georgia.  Scouting Report to come.

Tell me about yourself as a person ...

I really like working out and trying to improve my game.  I'm always open to criticism to get an idea of what I don't see and try to correct that and work on the things I need too.

How did you get into hoops, your Dad?

Yes.  Basketball is big with my family.  My Grandfather played, my Uncle played and my Father.  My Grandfather died when I was pretty young and he blew out his knee before signing with the New York Knicks.

A lot of schools are looking at you these days.  You've become a hot commodity.  Who is the most aggressive in their recruitment at this point?

The most aggressive are the teams around where I live.  The Georgia Tech's, the Clemson's and UGA.  That's just because I'm the hometown kid, so they've had more time to get to know me and can see me play.

There is a general consensus that Georgia Tech is a leader, is that true?

Uhh, I'm not sure at this point.  I do have a close relationship with the coaching staff.  Coach Hayes is the main contact.

How long have they been recruiting you?

About four years now.

That's a long time ... how old are you now?

16

So you were like twelve ...

More like 13.  Since I was in the area, my Father contacted them to sort of see if I could come out and see if their guys are running.  I was able to play against some bigger and stronger guys at another level which helped my game.

Has anybody else come into the picture of late?

Duke just came in the picture recently.  UNC has said they will take a look at me and try to come to a couple of games.  Other than that the main schools have been consistent over the past year and a half.

So, are you willing to add a Duke or UNC to your list?

(smiles) Yeah, definitely.  I haven't really seen UNC's campus, but because of who they are I will listen.  And Duke, their facilities are awesome.

Who is talking to you from those schools?

I haven't talked to anyone, but my Father has.  I haven't had a chance to be home since school was out yet, so I don't know of any letters.  I have been trying to pick and choose my time to put in the extra work.  I am always willing to put in extra work, but sometimes you have to hang it up for a little while and rest.

Any time line on your decision?  Will you take your five official visits?

At this time, I plan on taking the visits, but by the end of Summer or early Fall I will have a list together.  I will then figure out what I want to do, watch their style of play.  So, there will be a list of five by that time.

Speaking of style of play, what best fits you on the college level?

A lot of cutting, fast paced ... something where you are not restricted to one particular role.

... so, interchangeable positions?

Yeah, yeah.  I mean everyone has a role within the team, but when it comes to a half court setting I'd like to operate from multiple positions.

How important is immediate playing time to you?

Um, well it's fairly important, but if my team is winning and that's all that counts.

What are you looking for in a coach?

A coach that goes after it and gets into everybody to be their best.

So, you want to be pushed to be all you can be, so to speak?

Yeah, that's how it was when I was growing up.  My Dad would tell me like it was, I thrive on competition.

What are you like off the court?  What do you do in your spare time?

I don't really turn on the TV too much.  I watch ESPN, but other than that ... I listen to music, mellow out and relax.  When I have the time I might call up a friend and go out to dinner andd stuff like that.

Three words that best describes you as a person?

Let's see ... quiet, humble and energetic.

Three as a basketball player ...

Explosive, team player and a leader.

How important is the education aspect for you in college?

You know, that's extremely important for there is always life after basketball.  When it's time to hang it up, there are plenty of years left in life.  I will consider what I want to take in school over the next year and a half.

Private school, public school?  Large or small?

My whole life I went to sort of a small school until the seventh grade.  At the start of the eigth grade, I went to a fairly large public school and then I went back up to the small private school which I am at now.  I really don't have a preference, maybe around 10,000 or above but the numbers aren't really important to me.

Are you willing to get out of the state of Georgia?

Yeah.  I travel all the time, so getting homesick is a phase I passed a while back.

Do you have a GPA score?

I don't know the exact numbers, but I just got my report card back and have a B+ average. [/private]