Kasey Morris was determined to make an impact.
He's done it before, so why change plans now.
Morris is an 18-year old who grew up in Toronto's Jane and Finch area and he's the oldest of twins by 17 minutes. Involved in soccer as a youngster, it was at the age of eight that he focused on another sport and took a liking to basketball.
Like most young people, Morris had dreams of playing the pro game of hoops and switched high schools – leaving Chaminade for Eastern Commerce - so he could benefit from one of the top school-based basketball programs in Ontario.
Morris also has done well on the academic side, too. He has mastered top grades in his final year at Eastern Commerce, tinkered with the idea of attending a Junior College in the United States, but instead chose to stay in Toronto.
"I took a liking to (George Brown head coach Jonathan Smith), recalled Morris. "When we spoke, he clearly showed that he cared about me and my progress in life – and not just basketball."
Morris was accepted at George Brown College to study social work and his plan, probably still thinking big on the hardwood, is also to pursue a career helping people – especially teens – in various ways.
"I want to work with teenagers who are having tough times," said Morris, who may have had his first taste of a bright future while working as a counsellor at a summer camp. "I like the idea of helping individuals. I'm good working with kids and want to take it further."
And on the subject of helping, is doing that with the Huskies Men's basketball team. In his rookie season, Morris is second the team in scoring averaging 12.3 points a game and has been solid with ball control.
Morris was the first major recruit by Smith this year and, checking out the background of the 6-foot-3 small forward, George Brown has done well.
"When I saw him play, he impressed me in many ways – especially his demeanour," said Smith. "Physically, he has the size on the wing. (Morris) is a good outside shooter and showed this never give up attitude. Students who play for me know that we're at a College and building more than just basketball players.
With George Brown, he has led the team in scoring in four pre-season and tournament games and was top point-getter in three league games cashing in a season-high 29 in a one-point loss to Centennial College.
