detroit free press: Michigan guard Darius Morris to test NBA Draft waters, not hire an agent

Posted on Sat, Mar 26, 2011 : 11:13 p.m.

Darius Morris is declaring for the NBA Draft according to reports, but he’s leaving himself the option to return to the Michigan basketball team.

The Detroit Free Press is reporting, through Morris' older brother, DeWayne Morris Jr., that Darius has decided to put his name into the NBA Draft pool but not hire an agent, allowing him the option to return for his junior year in Ann Arbor.

"He’s going to test the waters,” DeWayne told the Free Press. “He’s not going to hire an agent. He’s going to go through the process as if he was going to enter the draft.”

Through a spokesperson, Michigan coach John Beilein declined comment until Monday's previously-scheduled end of season press conference.

Darius Morris will reportedly test his NBA Draft stock but not hire an agent, leaving him an opportunity to return to the Michigan basketball team.

Morris, who set a Michigan single-season record with 235 assists this year, will be able to explore the draft process until May 8, when he must make a decision whether or not he will stay in the draft or return to Michigan.

The early-entry declaration deadline is April 24.

The Los Angeles native led Michigan in scoring at 15 points a game and assists with 6.7. After Michigan lost in the Round of 32 to Duke, Morris said “Yep” when asked if he would definitely be returning to Ann Arbor next season.

Now, he is reportedly taking some time to reconsider.

Currently, NBADraft.net has Morris listed as the No. 32 pick in the 2011 Draft, being taken in the second round by Miami.

"That’s another dream of mine and I just work hard every day toward it. If I put 100 percent into that, things along the way -- like me getting my education, the team, Michigan doing well -- will all come true, too," Morris said about the NBA earlier this year.

Last year, guard Manny Harris declared early for the NBA Draft and hired an agent, meaning he couldn’t return to school. Harris went undrafted and was picked up by the Cleveland Cavaliers as a free agent. He made the roster and has been on the team all season.

If Morris returns, Michigan will have every player back from this season. If he leaves, the point guard role he held will be left to senior Stu Douglass, who backed him up at the point for the majority of the season, or freshman Trey Burke.

Michael Rothstein covers Michigan basketball for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at 734-623-2558, by email at michaelrothstein@annarbor.com or follow along on Twitter @mikerothstein.