Morrow helps MU get physical
Chicago helped shape power forward’s game
Ed Morrow Jr. was born in Nebraska, but the Marquette junior's game was forged in Chicago.
The 6-foot-7 big man is the son of Ed Sr., a linebacker on Nebraska's 1994 national championship football team and Nafeesah, who was an all-Big 8 forward with the Cornhuskers women's basketball squad.
"I come from a family of athletes," Ed Morrow Jr. said. "So I was just playing sports all the time."
The family lived in Lincoln, Nebraska, until moving to Nafeesah's hometown of Chicago when Ed was around 10
years old.
"I went to Chicago Public Schools my whole life," Morrow said. "When people ask me where I'm from, I say Chicago."
It is also the city where Morrow got his hoops education. He will play in Chicago for the first time in a MU uniform when the Golden Eagles (20-4, 9-2 Big East) face DePaul (13-9, 5-6) at 7 p.m. Tuesday at WinTrust Arena.
MU is ranked 10th in both the USA Today coaches and Associated Press polls.
Morrow got serious about basketball when he decided to attend Simeon High School, one of the powerhouses of the Chicago Public League.
Some of the biggest names in Chicago's storied basketball history have played for the Wolverines, including Ben Wilson, Nick Anderson, Bobby Simmons and Derrick Rose.
"I knew a little bit about (the history)," Morrow said. "I just saw all the great players that were playing there (at the time)."
When Morrow made the Simeon varsity as a sophomore in the 2012-'13 season, his senior teammate Jabari Parker was one of the most sought-after recruits in recent memory.
Simeon, which won its fourth straight title that season, was overflowing with talent. Morrow had to rely on defense, toughness and hustle to crack head coach Robert Smith's rotation. That team included NCAA Division 1 recruits Jaylon Tate, D.J. Williams, Kendrick Nunn and Kendall Pollard.
Doing the dirty work like rebounding, setting screens and blocking shots became the hallmarks of Morrow's game. It helped him continue to thrive as Simeon's talent pipeline rolled along with, among others, Zach Norvell (Gonzaga) and Isaiah Moss (Iowa).
MU coach Steve Wojciechowski helped recruit Parker to Duke while he was a Blue Devils assistant, so he was very familiar with the Simeon program.
While Wojciechowski was putting together his first recruiting class at MU in 2015, he liked Morrow's rugged game. But the fit wasn't right with five-star forward Henry Ellenson committed to the Golden Eagles.
Morrow went back to familiar territory at Nebraska. He played two, injuryfilled seasons with the Cornhuskers before deciding to transfer.
Wojciechowski was quick to snap up Morrow.
"There's a lot to like about Ed," Wojciechowski said. "His toughness. His competitiveness. Obviously, his presence by the basket.
"He played for an outstanding highschool coach and high-school program, where winning was the norm. Having a guy like that in your program is huge."
After sitting out last season in accordance with NCAA rules, Morrow started a bit slow. He is averaging 5.3 points and 4 rebounds per game.
Morrow has made two of the biggest defensive plays of the season for MU: an athletic block of Ethan Happ's layup attempt in the waning seconds of regulation against Wisconsin and providing textbook help as Phil Booth tried to drive for Villanova while hunting for a potential winning shot.
Morrow also is an intimidating figure on the blocks, playing with a hard edge that he formed in Chicago.
"I think that’s definitely true," Morrow said. "I look at these guys from New York, Washington, D.C. There’s something different (about Chicago players)."
Morrow was asked if he would have been the same player had he continued to live in Nebraska.
“I thank my mom all the time," Morrow said. "Because I definitely wouldn’t have been the same player if I hadn’t moved to Chicago. It made me who I am.”