Jennifer Stewart-USA Today Sports
This upcoming season, Gonzaga Bulldogs head coach Mark Few will have the only player he ever coached to a National Player of the Year award back in the fold at the university. That’s right — Adam Morrison will rejoin the Gonzaga program as a student assistant for the 2013-14 season, according to a report from Gary Parrish at CBS Sports.
Morrison is back and taking classes at the university and he will get the opportunity to help coach a program that he had a major role in developing as a player. Morrison averaged 28.1 points during the 2005-06 season, earning the nod for National Player of the Year while guiding the Bulldogs to the Sweet 16 that same season. Morrison’s professional career has virtually fanned out and it’s been an utter disappointment ever since he was selected with the third overall pick. Morrison has however, won two NBA championships, both with the Los Angeles Lakers.
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This hire or rather unforeseen chain of events is a great move by Few, simply because of what Morrison has meant to the history and tradition of the Gonzaga program. Morrison is a credible name, especially around Spokane, Washington, and it’s a situation that certainly benefits both sides. Morrison gets to gain some sideline experience and he’s still particularly young at the age of 28. If Morrison is interested in working with way into the collegiate coaching ranks, his Alma Mater is certainly the ideal spot to begin at.
The Bulldogs lost star forward Kelly Olynyk to the NBA Draft this past season and Elias Harris has also moved on. However, Few once again has a talented squad that will position themselves for a run in the NCAA Tournament next March.
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