Knicks sign Kentucky junior Randolph Morris as a free agent.

[BuckWrestler141]

What a weird story this guy was as far as college basketball goes. The fact that this was allowed makes me feel that Mike Williams got screwed over pretty bad.

Knicks sign Kentucky C Randolph Morris
By TOM WITHERS AP Sports Writer
? 2007 The Associated Press
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CLEVELAND ? The New York Knicks signed free-agent center Randolph Morris to a two-year contract Friday, adding the former Kentucky star to their roster thanks to an unusual provision in the NBA's collective bargaining agreement.
Morris, the Wildcats' leading scorer this season, declared himself eligible for the 2005 draft following his freshman year but was not selected. He decided to return to school and played two more seasons.
Due to a condition in the CBA, Morris was not eligible to re-enter another draft. He had free-agent status throughout his junior season but decided to play out the year with the Wildcats, who were eliminated in the NCAA tournament last weekend by Kansas.
The Knicks, who are battling for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, jumped at the chance to add a player for the future.
"We said all along that in terms of building this team we would have to find unconventional ways to try and find talent and get out and beat the bushes," said Isiah Thomas, the Knicks' coach and director of basketball operations. "This is a very unique situation and I don't know if there has been something similar to this. The rules allowed it, and here we are."
Thomas said Morris will soon join and practice with the Knicks, who love the potential in the 6-foot-11, 260-pounder.
"It's another guy we can add to our young core," Thomas said. "We're very happy to have him. It's another big and it's almost like another pick in this year's draft ? just a little early."
Thomas said several other teams were "chasing" Morris.
Morris' decision came a day after coach Tubby Smith left Kentucky to become the head coach at Minnesota.
Kentucky spokesman Scott Stricklin said athletic director Mitch Barnhart met with Morris late Thursday night and asked Morris to wait until a new coach was in place before deciding whether to leave.
Morris blossomed this season, becoming the most consistent player for the Wildcats, who went 22-12. Thomas said the Knicks worked out Morris before the 2005 draft and considered taking him.
If Morris had been in this year's draft, Thomas guessed he would have been "one of the top 15 to 20 guys."
Thomas likes Morris' hands and his ability to score inside. He should benefit from New York's offensive system, which puts premium on getting the ball to the post.
"He'll benefit from us pounding it inside, and it will give us more options to go inside," Thomas said. "He has played in a big-time program. He's used to playing in front of big crowds. He played for a tough coach, so we're getting a player who has more or less been through the wringers and been through the wars and rigors of college."
___
AP Sports Writer Will Graves in Lexington, Ky., contributed to this report.

 

[BB73]

I remember being pissed when the Celtics got Larry Bird by drafting him a year early and then signing him.

 

[crazybuckfan40]

I was just coming to post something about this as I saw him playing against the Cavs tonite...

I don't understand how he was able to play in both...Why couldnt a team pick up a guy like Oden right now and let him play the rest of the NBA season after the college bball season...

 

[exhawg]

I was just coming to post something about this as I saw him playing against the Cavs tonite...

I don't understand how he was able to play in both...Why couldnt a team pick up a guy like Oden right now and let him play the rest of the NBA season after the college bball season...

Because Oden wasn't in the draft last year and Morris was. Morris didn't get drafted so he was a free agent this season, and could have signed with any team at any point of the season.

 

[crazybuckfan40]

Because Oden wasn't in the draft last year and Morris was. Morris didn't get drafted so he was a free agent this season, and could have signed with any team at any point of the season.

O I C, but it what is going to stop these guys from putting there name in the draft and just telling them they want to play another year of college and then to pick them up as a FAgent?

 

[exhawg]

O I C, but it what is going to stop these guys from putting there name in the draft and just telling them they want to play another year of college and then to pick them up as a FAgent?

If they get drafted they can only sign with the team that drafts them.

 

[crazybuckfan40]

If they get drafted they can only sign with the team that drafts them.

But what about say Oden is coming back this year, but puts his name in the draft and everyone knows that he is going back to play college, but is doing it b/c he wants to play the end of the NBA season. No one takes the bite and then he would be a FA after the college bball season...

 

[methomps]

But what about say Oden is coming back this year, but puts his name in the draft and everyone knows that he is going back to play college, but is doing it b/c he wants to play the end of the NBA season. No one takes the bite and then he would be a FA after the college bball season...

Players who enter the NBA draft usually aren't eligible to play NCAA ball anymore.

 

[Mike80]

But what about say Oden is coming back this year, but puts his name in the draft and everyone knows that he is going back to play college, but is doing it b/c he wants to play the end of the NBA season. No one takes the bite and then he would be a FA after the college bball season...

Because I'm pretty sure the NBA collective bargaining agreement prevents that from happening anymore.....

 

[graveyard.roses]

Twilight zone story, here.