Monte Morris, Denver Nuggets’ star, dumps US for Nigeria

 

A US citizen, Denver Nuggets guard Monte Morris has opted to play for Nigeria internationally as a naturalized player.

Nigeria head coach, Mike Brown confirmed the development to ESPN.

Equally important, Monte Morris follows in the steps of the Brooklyn Nets’ Spencer Dinwiddie, who has also chosen to commit his international future to Nigeria.

Reports indicate that Monte Morris would represent Nigeria at the Olympics. This was equally confirmed by the official social media accounts of the Nigeria Basketball Federation and the Nuggets.

Nevertheless, Coach Brown told ESPN that the process was still some way from being complete; adding that it could well fall apart.

“He does want to play for us. But there are still technicalities that we have to work out. Technicalities that the [NBBF] president Musa Kida has to work out before it can actually happen. So he is in the process of trying to figure that out right now.”

ABC News reports that Morris follows Dinwiddie, whose decision stunned the Nigerian basketball fraternity when it was announced almost a year ago. Brown said what appears to be a trickle of nationals of other countries wanting to represent Nigeria now could well turn into a tap.

“The crazy part is there are a lot more American players and coaches that have approached me about being a part of the team; whether it is from a coaching standpoint or from a playing standpoint…I look at it as fantastic for the program,” he added.

NBBF vice president Babs Ogunade added that the number could be as high as 16. However, the names are still being kept under wraps. Nevertheless, Brown did disclose that Dallas Mavericks small forward, Wes Iwundu and Detroit Pistons center, Jahlil Okafor are two of the names under consideration.

“I have been talking to Wes, Jahlil. He has been to Nigeria and spent some time there when he was 11, 12 years old. He’s a guy that I am excited about. We all should be excited about a guy like Jahlil because of his talent and his ability on that low post,” Brown said.

Meanwhile, the decision of Monte Morris to pull on the Nigerian shirt keys into Brown’s determination to return from the Olympic Games with a medal; a development that seems to have triggered the flood of interest from potential players.

Nigeria already boasts an impressive roster which includes the likes of Al-Farouq Aminu, Josh Okogie, Chimezie Metu; as well as former NBA stars Ekpe Udoh and Ike Diogu.

However, Brown says there are no free shirts.

“Now I have all these American NBA players approaching me about playing…As the coach of the team, you take each player that wants to play under consideration; evaluate them based on what you think you may or may not need or want.

‘‘At the end of the day, when you look at a player like Spencer Dinwiddie; you look at his size, you look at his ability to play the point guard position. You look at what he has accomplished so far in the league and you also look at his age. Also, you look at all those things and you try to put into account how he could possibly help as well the rest of the players.

“It is no different from a player like Monte Morris. He is a young guy. His assist-to-turnover ratio is one of the best in the league. He is small but he is physically tough. He is a true point guard and he will get others the ball.

“So you look at these things and you evaluate. Does this make sense for your team based on the players you have, or doesn’t it? And a guy like Monte, in my opinion makes sense for our team, if it all works out.”

Dinwiddie and Monte Morris are the only two to have publicly confirmed their commitment to Nigeria. Brown says the competition for places will rub off positively on the team.

“Competition is going to be serious. It is going to be tough. You want it that way. To me, I think when you are talking about how fierce and how tough it is going to be to make the team, to contribute to the team. I don’t know if you want any different.

“You want your best team to have the opportunity to attract the best players, and that means the best players are going to compete for spots and that is what matters.”

FIBA rules allow a quota for a naturalized player, irrespective of their (lack of) connections to a country.