Remembering Darius Morris: A Legacy of Resilience and Leadership
On Sunday, May 5, 2024, the basketball world was shocked by the news of the passing of Darius Morris, former University of Michigan Wolverines player and draft pick of the Los Angeles Lakers. He was just 33 years old when his family announced his untimely death.
Details surrounding the cause of Morris’ death remain undisclosed at this time, with TMZ reporting that his body was discovered in Los Angeles, his hometown, last Thursday.
“With great sadness, we announce the passing of our beloved son, Darius Aaron Morris,” expressed Morris’ family to TMZ. “During this time of transition, his family requests that you respect their wishes for privacy and grace.”
Morris, a second-round pick of the Lakers in the 2011 draft, had a career that saw him average 3.3 points in 132 games, 17 of which he started. He played alongside legends like Pau Gasol and Kobe Bryant during his time with the Lakers, as well as suiting up for four other teams over four NBA seasons. Following his NBA career, Morris continued to play professionally in China and France, with his final active season being in 2019-20.
The Lakers expressed their grief over Morris’ passing in a statement, stating that they are “devastated by the loss” of the talented player.
One individual who wanted to pay tribute to Morris was coach John Beilein, who shared, “I am saddened to hear about the passing of former Wolverine Darius Morris. In 2010-11, Darius was our starting point guard. He was a leader on that team that achieved a 21-win season and laid the foundation for a decade of success at Michigan. RIP DMo, and my deepest condolences to the Morris family,” in a heartfelt message.
