The Adobe Flash Player is required to view this multimedia interactive. Get it here.

Springboro basketball player Morgan attracting many recruiters

‘Great upside’ has many power programs linked to the 16-year-old.

Maverick Morgan (right), a Springboro sophomore, blocks the shot of Warren Wilson, a Trotwood-Madison senior. This was late in the second half. Springboro hosted Trotwood Madison in a Friday night basketball game.

Ron Alvey Maverick Morgan (right), a Springboro sophomore, blocks the shot of Warren Wilson, a Trotwood-Madison senior. This was late in the second half. Springboro hosted Trotwood Madison in a Friday night basketball game.

ENLARGE PHOTO

Maverick Morgan (right), of Springboro, tips the ball in for two points, scoring over Fairborn defender Billy Jackson (15). Springboro hosted Fairborn High School in a boys high school basketball game. During halftime Springboro inducted new members into their athletic hall of fame.

Ron Alvey Maverick Morgan (right), of Springboro, tips the ball in for two points, scoring over Fairborn defender Billy Jackson (15). Springboro hosted Fairborn High School in a boys high school basketball game. During halftime Springboro inducted new members into their athletic hall of fame.

ENLARGE PHOTO

High school sports results for May 26
5/26/12
Reds' six-game winning streak broken
5/26/12
Annual Warrior Soccer Classic kicks off today
5/26/12
Dragons' rally falls short against Lansing
5/26/12
WSU baseball ousted from tournament
5/26/12
> More sports headlines

By Doug Harris, Staff Writer Updated 12:21 AM Sunday, June 26, 2011

Troy Holtrey, the Springboro High School basketball coach, isn’t surprised that star player Maverick Morgan is being recruited by nearly every major Midwestern college power despite having just finished his sophomore year.

A rapidly improving 6-foot-10 center is bound to attract attention.

“His rate of development has really been impressive. All the way through, he’s turned out to be better than what we thought he’d be,” Holtrey said. “His freshman year, he was better than we thought he’d be. His sophomore year, he was better. And this summer, he’s gotten better.

“He’s got great, soft hands — both his right and left. And there’s a toughness about him. He can bang with anybody.”

Morgan has become a top target for the University of Dayton. He already has taken part in several open gyms with Flyers players and chose UD for his first unofficial visit, touring the campus and meeting the coaching staff with his father last week.

Holtrey said Indiana, Purdue, West Virginia, Michigan State, Cincinnati, Xavier, Butler and Wright State also are recruiting Morgan, who has added about 20 pounds during the offseason. WSU already has offered a scholarship, while the other schools say they’ll be evaluating him this summer.

Morgan attended about eight Flyers games last season and marveled at the clamor created by 12,000-plus fans.

“Dayton is a great school to go watch basketball and play basketball,” he said.

“I love the new staff. I already can see from playing with the players how they’re getting better.”

Asked about WSU coming through with an offer, Morgan said: “It’s such a relief to know I’ll get to play basketball in college. ... As far as local schools, it’s a great college in a great location. It’s close to home and right by The Greene (Town Center).”

Morgan, who has a 7-foot wingspan and weighs 240 pounds (20 more than last season), averaged 13 points, nine rebounds and a hefty 4.6 blocks per game as a sophomore while shooting 63.5 percent from the field.

Holtrey said Morgan has much better agility than a typical big man.

“When you test his flexibility, he’s extremely flexible. You time him in the 100-yard dash, and he’s fast. He’s got good hands. And he’s young — he just turned 16. He’s got great upside,” Holtrey said.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2000 or dharris@DaytonDailyNews.com.

Share this article