Former Wolverines basketball star Darius Morris dies at 33

Darius Morris, one of John Beilein's first high-profile recruits at Michigan who helped lay the foundation for the Wolverines becoming an eventual national power, has died. He was 33.

The Michigan athletic department and the Los Angeles Lakers posted condolences on social media Saturday. According to TMZ, Morris died in Los Angeles this week. A cause of death wasn't publicly disclosed.

Morris, a Los Angeles native, played at Michigan for two seasons, from 2009-11. He split his time between being a starter and a reserve as a freshman, then became Michigan's solidified starting point guard as a sophomore, averaging 15 points, four rebounds and 6.7 assists.

Michigan went 21-14 in 2010-11, Beilein's fourth season as head coach at Michigan, and lost in the Round of 32 in the NCAA Tournament. Two years later, Michigan would make the NCAA Championship Game for the first of two times in Beilein's tenure with the Wolverines.

Morris wasn't there for the championship-game run. He left for the NBA after two seasons in Ann Arbor.

"He was a leader in that program changing 21 win season that laid the foundation for Michigan's next decade of success," Beilein wrote on X, formerly Twitter, on Saturday.

"RIP DMo and condolences to the Morris family."

Morris' 235 assists his second season were a program record at Michigan, and in a home win over Iowa, he recorded the third triple-double in program history (12 points, 11 assists, 10 rebounds). He was named third-team all-Big Ten by the coaches, and the media, and was named UM's MVP.

As a freshman, he was named Michigan's top defensive player.

Morris was selected in the second round of the 2011 NBA Draft, 41st overall, by his hometown Los Angeles Lakers, and played alongside Kobe Bryant. He played 19 games as a rookie, averaging 2.4 points, and 48 games in Year 2, averaging 4.0 points.

"We are heartbroken by the passing of Darius Morris," the Lakers wrote on X.

In 2013-14, Morris played 12 games with the Philadelphia 76ers, averaging 6.9 points. Morris also played briefly with the Los Angeles Clippers, Memphis Grizzlies and Brooklyn Nets. He last appeared in the NBA in the 2014-15 season, and finished his career averaging 3.3 points in 132 games.

He appeared in the NBA playoffs in two seasons with the Lakers, averaging 10.5 points in four games in 2013, and one with the Nets. Morris then went on to play overseas, in China, Russia and France. He lasted played in 2020.

"With great sadness we announce the passing of our dearly beloved son, Darius Aaron Morris," the Morris family said in a statement Saturday, according to TMZ.

"During this time of transition, his family asks that you please respect their wishes for privacy and grace."

In high school, Morris led his team to a state championship, won the state's John Wooden Award as the player of the year, and was ranked a consensus top-20 prospect at the point-guard position nationally. He was a top-100 prospect at all positions.

tpaul@detroitnews.com

@tonypaul1984