In undoubtedly the most exciting game of the day, it was one of the event’s biggest stars that put on a show. Current Los Angeles Clippers forward Marcus Morris scored an event-high-tying 33 points to lead his Team Family Over Everything squad to a win over Team Arete Sports and earn him Friday’s Player of the Day.
The Rumph Classic is an event that Marcus and his brother, Markieff, a free agent in the NBA, have attended frequently throughout the years, and coming back with his group of people means a lot to Marcus.
“Giving back to the people, the family, the friends. Everybody [is] getting to come out and watch … [it] not being an NBA game,” Morris said. “I’ve been in the league for [12] years. I’ve been trying to play in [the Rumph] for at least six or seven,” Morris said. “Mike Morak, Danny Rumph [are] family. They’ve been family for a while, so we’re just trying to support how we can.”
Morris began his high school career at Prep Charter and then played for APEX Academy in New Jersey. He went on to play at Kansas for three seasons, averaging 17.2 points per game and 7.6 rebounds per game as a junior before declaring for the 2011 NBA Draft.
Morris was drafted with the 14th overall pick by the Houston Rockets. Throughout his career, Morris has played for the Rockets, Phoenix Suns, Detroit Pistons, Boston Celtics, New York Knicks and now the Clippers.
Playing in the NBA for as long as Marcus has, he knows the significance of NBA players such as himself and his brother playing in an event like the Rumph Classic.
“[It’s] very important,” Morris said. “The fans support. We get something positive in the city. That means a lot to us. We just appreciate being able to have something with safety, no violence and just something positive.”
Game 2 Player of the game Marcus Morris on what the Rumph means to him and the importance of NBA players giving back to their communities@MookMorris2 @Alexisbeckett_ pic.twitter.com/wrWFWQDLR8
— Rumph Classic (@RumphClassic) August 6, 2022
