Morris couldn't say "no" to KU twice; TX court date is June 14

JayhawkSlant article by Shay Wildeboor (behind the paywall)

ARTICLE SALIENT POINTS

Arterio Morris was Rivals #15 player and #2 PG in the 2022 class.

Last season at tu, playing behind three super guards, he still played in all 38 games, averaging 11.8 MPG, 41.1% FG, 33.3% 3PT, 78.6% FT and 4.6 PPG.

Quoting Keenan Womack of Rivals' Orangebloods.com (tu site), “There was a logjam at guard this past season, yet Morris still found playing time despite having to fight for minutes against Marcus Carr, Tyrese Hunter, and SirJabari Rice. Morris has just about everything you’d want in a lead guard. He can play both spots effectively, playing on- or off-ball. A McDonald’s All-American, Morris was highly decorated coming out of high school, and his abilities were very evident when he was on the floor...

...(He) specializes in perimeter defense. With his size and quickness, he’s a really tough guy to score against because of the way he can move laterally. He’s a high-motor type of player and is a decent rebounder for his position as well. His scoring numbers don’t pop off the page, but he’s definitely demonstrated an ability to shoot the ball... Against Louisiana, for example, Morris scored 25 points, hitting 9/11 from the field and 5/7 from three."

Whether he’s scoring from behind the arc, pulling up for the midrange jump shot, or attacking the basket, Morris, without question, has the ability to score from all three levels.

Depending on his role and how well he adapts, Womack firmly believes that Morris has the potential to be one of the best players in the Big 12 next season.

More Womack: “His strength on the offensive end is attacking the basket, though he took a lot of threes this year, shooting 33.3%. I believe he’s a better shooter than this percentage, and I think will improve with more attempts and more confidence in a different offensive system. Overall, Morris is a highly talented prospect who was definite NBA upside at some point, whether that’s after this season or after next."

END OF SALIENT POINTS

In addition (my thoughts)...
For those worried about his 3PT% (33.3% last season), NOT mentioned in the article is that as he got deeper into the season and post season, playing against some of the top competition in the country from Feb 4 thru the end of his season (16 games, including 4 in the NCAA tournament), Morris shot 11-24 (46%) from the arc. In other words, instead of hitting the "freshman wall" as the season developed, he broke through it.

Right now I would think his biggest issue is getting his court date for the Class A misdemeanor charges behind him. Per the Austin-American Statesman article of March 22, 2023:

ARTICLE BEGINS
Texas freshman basketball player Arterio Morris, who was arrested on a Class A misdemeanor charge of assaulting his girlfriend last June, has had his looming court date postponed.

Morris was initially scheduled to go to trial on March 29 in Denton County. On Tuesday, prosecutors were granted a delay to an unspecified date, according to the Associated Press.

Morris is charged with causing bodily injury to a family member, which includes dating relationships in the state of Texas. The charge stems from a June 2022 confrontation in Frisco, a suburb north of Dallas. The charge carries penalties ranging from probation and fines of up to a year in jail if convicted.

Justin Moore, Morris’ attorney, told the AP that “we maintain Arterio’s innocence.”

According to an arrest affidavit obtained by the American-Statesman last June, Frisco police responded to a domestic disturbance at about 5:30 p.m. on June 2. Morris told officers that he lived nearby and drove to his girlfriend Caden Barnes’ residence to have a face-to-face conversation.

Barnes’ sister let Morris into the townhome. He then went upstairs to speak with Barnes, who was sleeping at the time, police said.

Barnes told police that Morris “grabbed her by the left forearm/wrist and pulled her up off the bed,” according to the affidavit. Morris grabbed at Barnes’ sports bra near her chest and pulled, causing the strap to make what police described as a 3-inch-long abrasion on her neck, according to the affidavit.

Morris was never suspended from the men’s basketball team. A statement from UT athletics to the Statesman in June said, “We were made aware of the allegations involving Arterio Morris and provided all information we had regarding this situation that occurred outside of the city of Austin to our campus Title IX office. We will continue to closely monitor the situation and cooperate with the University and legal process, which remains ongoing.”

Texas officials declined comment on Tuesday’s trial postponement.
ARTICLE ENDS

His Denton County, Texas court case is set for next week, June 14 2023, 8 days from today.

There have been RCB discussions in the past on the fact that Self & Co took the case into consideration when recruiting Arterio, and that based on what they know, if anything, beyond what is in the media, they were comfortable bringing him on board. From what was presented in the article, *if* he was found guilty (and having served on civilian juries and military courts martial, I know I would really have to look at the details of the Texas law to determine if he was or was not and what the penalties should be if he was found guilty), IMO the penalties would be minimal and not impact his college career.

He and we will know very shortly. I do not see this court case going more than 1 day once court is in session.

May Justice be served.

- HawkErrant

USAF Jayhawk wrote: He's charged with a misdemeanor but worst case can get up to a year in jail...for a misdemeanor? Weird...

Texas.
>shrug<