Markieff Morris was the better rebounder of the brothers at Kansas, where he averaged 8.3 boards a game last season to Marcus' 7.6.
By Ryan Feldman
CSNPhilly.com Contributor
CHICAGO – Whenever the Morris twins are mentioned, it’s always “Marcus and Markieff,” not “Markieff and Marcus.”
But college is over. The NBA draft is approaching. And now, maybe it should be Markieff and Marcus. Is it possible that Markieff could be the better prospect of the two?
Since their days growing up in Philadelphia, Marcus was always looked at more favorably on the court. The Morris twins started high school at Simon Gratz before switching to Neumann-Goretti during their freshman year. They enrolled at Prep Charter for their sophomore year and stayed there for the next three years. After that, they moved on to Apex Academy in Pennsauken, N.J. for a post-grad year.
Coming out of high school, Marcus was rated as the No. 29 prospect in the class of 2008 by Rivals.com, while Markieff was rated No. 49.
At Kansas, Marcus averaged more minutes than Markieff in each of their three years. Despite playing about four minutes less per game last season, Markieff still averaged more rebounds (8.3) than Marcus (7.6). He also shot a higher field goal percentage (58.9 to 57).
“Coming out at Kansas, he was doing better than I was the first couple years,” Markieff said. “He definitely deserves [the attention]. People know [how good] he is.”
Marcus has always been known as the better scorer and all-around talent, while Markieff has been known as more of a post player and rebounder. But Markieff even shot a higher three-point percentage (42.4 to 34.2).
There is no doubt Marcus is the better scorer – he has always averaged more points per game than Markieff (17.2 per game this year) – but Markieff can be just as effective as, if not more effective, Marcus if given the same opportunity in the NBA.
“He played more and he was our primary scorer,” Markieff said. “I'm probably a better rebounder. He's probably a better ball handler. He can create a shot better than I can.”
Last summer, Marcus was invited to Las Vegas to play on the Team USA Select Team but Markieff was not. However, Markieff still made the trip to hang out with his brother and the other players on the Select Team roster.
“He got invited because of how well he played,” Markieff said. “My time will come.
“He wanted me to come out with him and just chill with him out there.”
Now, as the Morris twins prepare for the NBA draft, it is widely assumed that Marcus will be drafted before Markieff. Good luck finding a mock draft that projects Markieff to go before Marcus.
Because of the paucity of true post players, a decent big man often will log a long NBA career. Markieff is taller – he measured a half-inch taller in shoes than Marcus – and he has more of a defined position. Markieff is a post player/rebounder, while Marcus is a hybrid forward who can do a little of everything.
Does Markieff feel that he is often overlooked when the twins are talked about? “It's not like that at all,” he said. “He deserves it. I'm happy for him.”
Despite Markieff sometimes being an afterthought to Marcus, the Morris twins have never tried to compete with each other.
“We would compete in video games [growing up]. That was about it,” Markieff said. “I'm better in video games. I'm better in Madden and NBA [2K].”
During the June 23 draft, Marcus likely will hear his name called first. But don't be surprised if Markieff becomes the better pro.
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