Randolph Morris - Pro Career

Pro Career

After his freshman year at Kentucky, Morris declared himself eligible for the 2005 NBA Draft. He was not drafted, but because he did not hire an agent, Morris was allowed to return to Kentucky to continue playing college basketball. At the same time, because the NBA's collective bargaining agreement prohibited him from re-entering into a future draft, Morris was also legally a free agent, who could be signed at any time; he would be able to leave Kentucky in the middle of the college basketball season if signed by an NBA team.

Morris took advantage of being a free agent, and signed a two-year, $1.6 million contract with the New York Knicks on March 23, 2007, 5 days after Kentucky was eliminated from the NCAA Tournament. Morris became the first player in history to go from the NCAA to the NBA in the same week, when he signed with the New York Knicks. When the then head coach of Kentucky, Tubby Smith, resigned and took the job with the Minnesota Golden Gophers, the University of Kentucky and Athletic Director Mitch Barnhart asked Morris to wait until UK found a new head coach to replace Smith. However, Morris chose to sign with the Knicks instead of waiting.

In the summer of 2008, Morris joined the summer league team of the Atlanta Hawks, and signed a two year, $1.7 million contract with the Hawks on July 29.

He joined the Beijing Ducks of the CBA in 2010. He later helped teammate Stephon Marbury lead the Ducks to winning their first ever CBA Finals championship.