Former Texas Longhorns guard Arterio Morris picks KU Jayhawks as transfer destination
Former University of Texas reserve and combo guard Arterio Morris, a 2022 McDonald’s All-American out of Dallas’ Kimball High School, has announced plans to transfer to Kansas.
The 6-foot-3, 190-pound freshman made the announcement Friday afternoon on Instagram saying, “We’re going to be the best backcourt defensive group ever (in 2023-24 at KU).”
Morris, who entered his name in the NCAA transfer portal on April 10, averaged 4.7 points and 1.4 rebounds a game his freshman season at Texas. He hit 41.4% of his shots and was 32.5% from three (29 of 87). He was 78.6% from the line.
He had 20 assists to 23 turnovers while playing an average of 11.7 minutes a game in 38 games.
Morris — he chose KU over DePaul and Mississippi and perhaps others — was in the rotation last season but played behind senior Marcus Carr, sophomore Tyrese Hunter, and senior Sir’Jabari Rice.
“My time at Texas was great,” Morris said in committing to KU on Jordan Schultz’s Instagram page. “Shout out to them. They turned me into a great defensive prospect. It was wonderful (at UT).”
Of KU he said: “I love the energy Bill Self and his staff bring. Man I’m excited. It’s amazing to hear from them. The community (on his recent campus visit) was great.”
He said he was planning on an early June arrival to KU’s campus for summer workouts. KU coach Bill Self cannot comment on his commitment until paperwork is processed by KU compliance.
Morris arrived at Texas as the No. 15-ranked player in the recruiting class of 2023 according to Rivals.com. He initially chose Texas over Arkansas, Kansas, Memphis, and others. As a transfer he visited both KU and DePaul.
Morris, the Associated Press stated, has an off-the-court issue that has yet to come to a conclusion in the court system. He is awaiting trial on a misdemeanor assault charge. Morris according to the Austin American-Statesman has an upcoming trial date set for June 14 in Texas.
Morris, according to an AP article that appeared on espn.com “was charged with a Class A misdemeanor after a June 2022 altercation with an ex-girlfriend in the Dallas area. Morris’ attorney, Justin Moore, has said Morris is innocent.”
An attempt to reach Morris’ attorney Friday by The Star was not immediately successful.
Morris was not suspended last season as he awaited trial. He practiced and played in games for Texas the entire 2022-23 season.
Here’s how he fared in games versus KU.
Morris missed the only shot he attempted and had one steal while playing four minutes in KU’s 88-80 win over UT on Feb. 6 at Allen Fieldhouse.
He had three points on 1-of-3 shooting with one assist and one turnover while playing 10 minutes in UT’s 75-59 win over KU on March 4 in Austin.
He had eight points on 3-of-5 shooting with two steals and two turnovers while playing 16 minutes in UT’s 75-56 win over KU on March 11 at T-Mobile Center.
Morris had 25 points in a 100-72 win over Louisiana on Dec. 21 in Austin. He went 9-of-11 shooting while playing 18 minutes. He had 12 points in a 94-60 win against West Virginia on Feb. 11 in Austin and 10 versus Oklahoma State in a 61-47 win on March 9 in the first round of the Big 12 tournament at T-Mobile Center..
He had six points in 10 minutes in the last game of the season, an 88-81 Elite Eight loss to Miami.
Morris is the second player from the portal to decide to transfer to KU.
Former Towson guard Nick Timberlake committed to KU on April 19. His paperwork has been processed by KU compliance and the KU basketball Twitter account on Thursday officially welcomed him to the team.
