Lakers 'heartbroken' over death of 2011 draft pick at age 33
Former NBA player Darius Morris died Saturday at the age of 33.
Morris was selected by the Los Angeles Lakers in the second round of the 2011 NBA Draft.
"With great sadness we announce the passing of our dearly beloved son, Darius Aaron Morris," his family said in a statement, according to TMZ. "During this time of transition, his family asks that you please respect their wishes for privacy and grace."
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Darius Morris of the Los Angeles Lakers advances the ball against the San Antonio Spurs in Game 4 of the Western Conference quarterfinals during the 2013 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center April 28, 2013, in Los Angeles. (Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)
His first NBA team also posted on social media in his honor.
"We are heartbroken by the passing of Darius Morris," the organization posted on X, formerly Twitter, with a purple heart and a photo of Morris celebrating on the court.
Morris spent two seasons with the Lakers between the pro club and its G-League affiliate, before signing with the Philadelphia 76ers in 2013. He also played for the Clippers and Grizzlies on 10-day contracts that season.
Kobe Bryant (24) and Darius Morris (1) of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrate their team's victory against the Charlotte Bobcats at Staples Center Dec. 18, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)
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He played his final NBA season in 2014-15 with the Brooklyn Nets.
He played 132 NBA games, starting 17 of them, all of which came in the 2012-13 season.
He averaged 3.3 points per game, but his best performance was his 24-point effort in the first round of the 2013 playoffs as a Laker against the San Antonio Spurs. It was his career high, including regular-season games.
Darius Morris (1) of the Los Angeles Lakers handles the ball against Jason Richardson (23) of the Philadelphia 76ers Dec. 16, 2012, at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia. (Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
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Morris starred at the University of Michigan for two seasons, setting the school record for the most assists in a single season with 235 as a sophomore. That record has since been broken.
His 15 points per game in 2010-11 were also a team high.
No cause of death has been released.
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