Jayhawk pride: Morris twins ready to welcome Thomas Robinson to NBA

Former Kansas University players Thomas Robinson (0), Markieff Morris (21) and Marcus Morris (22) watch the action during a game against California in this file photo from Dec. 22, 2009 in Allen Fieldhouse.

Newark, N.J. — Their seats at the Prudential Center were in a different spot, but their emotions were the same.

Thursday night, a little more than one year after they were picked with back-to-back selections in the 2011 NBA draft, former Jayhawks Marcus and Markieff Morris watched with pride as KU teammate and F.O.E. (Family Over Everything) co-creator Thomas Robinson was selected fifth by Sacramento in the 2012 draft.

“It felt just like last year when me and my brother were called up there,” said Marcus, who was picked 14th by Houston in 2011. “He’s our brother, too.”

Robinson’s final draft positioning was a little different than he had expected throughout the weeks and days that led up to the big event.

Like many, Robinson believed he could go as high as No. 2 to Charlotte or even No. 3 to Washington. Didn’t happen. Instead, he slipped to No. 5, providing the Kings with what one NBA analyst described as “a dream scenario.”

“I hope he’s not upset that he went fifth,” Marcus said about an hour after the pick. “Fifth is a great spot to get drafted. He gets to play with (Kings center) DeMarcus Cousins and that’ll help him out a lot. I know this, though; he’s pissed off. The NBA is getting a pissed-off player. And that’s only going to mean good things for T-Rob.”

Last year, while being interviewed by ESPN radio after being picked 13th by Phoenix, Markieff heard his brother’s name called right behind him and the two were able to share the experience together. It was a similar scene on Thursday. Before being taken away to fulfill the endless stretch of media obligations that follow being drafted, Robinson walked to the section of the arena where the Morris twins were sitting and was swallowed up by hugs from his “family.”

“We mean it when we say that, man,” Markieff said. “Family is everything to us, and he’s family.”

Robinson, who was understandably emotional throughout the night, said it meant a lot to have the Morris twins — along with their mother Angel, who sat with him in the green room — there to support him.

“I looked up to ’em, man,” he said. “It was great.”

With the emotion and excitement of draft night behind them, the trio of former KU teammates can begin to think about their first match-ups against one another. All three occupy roster spots with Western Conference teams, which increases the opportunities for them to face off on the floor.

The Morris twins began thinking about it Thursday.

“Funny,” Marcus said. “That’s what I’d say it’ll be. Funny.”

Added Markieff: “It’ll be just like when we’re working in the gym. Unless one of us is hitting jumpers, and then who knows what’ll happen.”

It was not just Robinson who the twins paid close attention to on Thursday night. In addition to tracking the moves made by their own teams, both also kept an eye on former KU guard Tyshawn Taylor, who was picked 41st by Portland and then traded to the Brooklyn Nets.

The team didn’t matter, nor did the draft position. Marcus was ready to call Taylor one of the steals of the draft immediately.

“Ty is going to be an all-star,” Marcus said.

When asked why, Taylor’s former teammate was more than happy to explain.

“He’s super talented,” Marcus said. “Super talented. I’ve been around him for three years, and I’ve seen all that he can do. I don’t think most people have seen that yet.”

While the twins spent a lot of Thursday focusing on their former teammates, they also took some time to reflect on their own experiences in the same building. The prevailing thought shared by both was summed up best by Marcus.

“It’s just crazy being back here,” he said. “I mean, ridiculous. It went so fast. It’s just hard to believe. It went so quick.”

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cajayfan 10 months, 3 weeks ago

This comment was removed by the site staff for violation of the usage agreement.

kellerman411 10 months, 3 weeks ago

........I liked the way they treated Mizzou....

ralster 10 months, 3 weeks ago

cajay=clueless.

JayDogger 10 months, 3 weeks ago

Yes, they acted like punks a few times, but not that often. Geez, they were only 18 when they got there and they sort got more mature as the years went by. Only one minor arrest since they left. And how many techs did they really get?

JayDogger 10 months, 3 weeks ago

Did the twins ever play against each other this year? I know neither got major minutes and at least Marcus (not sure about Markieff) spent time in the D-League. But I was wondering if they were both ever on the court at the same time for even a second. When they do play against each other I hope there's a little extra coverage.

I bet T-Rob gets more minutes than both of them combined next year, but I really hope the twins get more court time than last year. And Cole, too. I'd love to watch them play.

ralster 10 months, 3 weeks ago

Markieff put on a scoring avalanche in a preseason game, check it on Youtube. Both Twins will shine when given the chance.

TRob's motivation and inner drive is off the charts! You could literally see it in him after his name was called in the draft. Sooo happy for that young man (&Tyshawn landing in a good situation for himself too!)!!.

ralster 10 months, 3 weeks ago

Great story. Ive liked the Twins ever since they displayed bigtime work ethic after that MichState defeat their frosh season. Their on-court swagger and confidence was built thru their own effort, and their "tough" side was directly cultivated by Self, who rode them mercilessly in practice, also called them "soft" in public. Self created 2 lotto picks out of the motivated Twins. Definitely one of Self's (&Danny's) biggest successes...and TRob is another. 5 lotto picks in 3yrs (Twins, TRob, Xavier, Cole).

Wishing success for all our KU-to-pro guys! RCJH!

F. O. E.

REHawk 10 months, 3 weeks ago

We can't forget Hudy's impact on that pair....

tbbucboy21 10 months, 3 weeks ago

how about that pic. The morris twins, t.rob, and whithey. Not too bad a group of bigs huh? cole was on that team as well. amazing group of bigs for one team.

JayDogger 10 months, 3 weeks ago

Yeah, and think about this: If Jeff Withey is a lottery pick next year (a big 'if' but possible) then that would mean that in 2010 we had FIVE lottery Bigs on one team at the same time!!! (Cole, Morris, Morris, T-Rob, Jeff)

I just hope their very large shoes keep being filled. Game on, Landen Lucas.

JayDogger 10 months, 3 weeks ago

Yeah, I wondered that, too. Being traded would be a good thing. I just hope that after next year he hasn't lost a lot of value. If so, someone may get a steal.

Does anyone know what his problem is? Is it transitioning to playing SF in the NBA? I know the team is deep but they stink so he should get some court time.

NJHAWK 10 months, 3 weeks ago

Marcus's problem is that he is playing for a clueless coach.

BrownJuan 10 months, 3 weeks ago

Spot on. McHale was a great Boston player. Minnesota GM? Doormat up north, could never surround KG long enough to get traction. Coach at Houston? Chandler Parsons ahead of Marcus? Marcus would be best served by a trade, which Houston's draft picks seem to suggest. The "RIGHT" situation is so important for draft picks. Best of luck to T-Rob & TT going forward as well as the Twins.

april28 10 months, 3 weeks ago

Let's hope he gets traded. McHale is a worse coach than he was a GM.

ralster 10 months, 3 weeks ago

Yeah. That pix is prophetic, as the "return game" the next season at Cal was the big technical on Marcus after he got bludgeoned in the back. He learned what line to not cross in that game. You all recall that Gutierrez punk shoving his wrist into TRob's throat at the bottom of the dogpile?

That jack-wipe of a coach for Cal even defended Gutierrez after the game...(what???)

I will say this directly to all the "soft" pussies (cats) we have on this site who like to take offense at the "man's game" that happens or "war" in the paint at the Div1 level--> Why dont you ask Bill Self or Tom Izzo about this? Self cultivated the toughness in the Twins directly & personally. Recall that they arrived soft. "Soft" ku fans remind me quickly of how many of Roy's teams got shoved around and were not known as tough. Individual players were "tough", but not entire team mentalities. Enter Bill Self, and you see teams equally capable of high flying offense, or bruiser/grinder games (how ya want your beatin'?).

lighthawk 10 months, 3 weeks ago

nail hammer head, point on!

ralster 10 months, 3 weeks ago

My point is this: These bigs were our soldiers, and thru them, Self's win-loss % is the absolute best in Div1 the last 6yrs running. I will not bad-mouth our past warriors! Actually, my hat's off to them for: a) choosing KU b) buying in to Self's way c) conquering almost all foes.

Jeeveshawk 10 months, 3 weeks ago

Also congrats to Kyle O'Quinn, one of my favorite non-KU players, for getting drafted.

JayDogger 10 months, 3 weeks ago

It took me a minute to figure out who you were talking about... But, yeah, he's pretty awesome. Of course, I only saw him in one game...but what a game!!! (Norfolk humiliates Mizzery)

KJD 10 months, 3 weeks ago

Lottery Picks 2003 - 2012 shows Roy and Bill have been developing talent at a steady and high rate (Drew went #4 in 2002 too):

10 North Carolina: Marvin Williams (2), Raymond Felton (5), Harrison Barnes (7), Brandan Wright (8), Sean May (13), Ed Davis (13), Kendall Marshall (13) Rashad McCants (14), Tyler Hansbrough (14), John Henson (14)

9 Kansas: Thomas Robinson (5), Kirk Hinrich (7), Cole Aldrich (11), Nick Collison (12), Xavier Henry (12), Julian Wright (13), Brandon Rush (13), Markieff Morris (13), Marcus Morris (14)

9 UConn: Emeka Okafor (2), Hasheem Thabeet (2), Ben Gordon (3), Charlie Villanueva (7), Rudy Gay (8), Kemba Walker (9), Andrea Drummond (9), Hilton Armstrong (12), Jeremy Lamb (12)

6 Duke: Kyrie Irving (1), Sheldon Williams (5), Luol Deng (7), Austin Rivers (10), JJ Redick (11), Gerald Henderson (12)

6 Kentucky: John Wall (1), Anthony Davis (1), Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (2) , DeMarcus Cousins (5), Brandon Knight (8), Patrick Patterson (14)

5 Texas: LaMarcus Aldridge (2), Kevin Durrant (2), Tristan Thompson (4), TJ Ford (8), DJ Augustine (9)

5 Arizona: Derrick Williams (2), Channing Frye (8), Jordan Hill (8), Andre Iguodala (9), Jerryd Bayless (11)

4 Florida: Al Horford (3), Bradley Beal (3), Corey Brewer (7), Joakim Noah (9)

4 Syracuse: Carmelo Anthony (3), Wesley Johnson (4), Dion Waiters (4), Jonny Flynn (6)

3 Georgetown, Georgia Tech, Ohio State, Washington

2 Arizona State, BYU, Illinois, Louisville, LSU, Memphis, Oregon, Stanford, UCLA, USC, Wakeforest

1 Arkansas, Baylor, Bradley, Butler, Central Michigan, Colorado, Davidson, Florida State, Fresno, Georgia, Gonzaga, Indiana, Kansas State, Marquette, Minnesota, Rider, Oklahoma, Texas A&M, UNLV, Utah, Villanova, Washington State, Weber State, West Virginia, Wisconsin

jayhawkinATL 10 months, 3 weeks ago

Unfortunately, Calipari is going to vault to the top of the list very soon.

PurePierce 10 months, 3 weeks ago

I'm sorry, I guess my eyes are going bad, but I couldn't find all of mizery's lottery picks in your list.

ChicagoHawkMatt 10 months, 3 weeks ago

What a classy bunch of guys. Best story in the NCAA is the way that the twins and their mom "adopted" Thomas and his little sister.

Best of luck T-Rob!!

hoosierhawk74 10 months, 3 weeks ago

Welcome to Hemp Heaven, from the Twins.

pessimisticjayhawkfan 10 months, 3 weeks ago

I hate to say it but trob wont be good at all in the NBA. He cant finish around the rim and sucks with his back to the basket. He better start saving his money

april28 10 months, 3 weeks ago

Yes...a clear an concise evaluation of T-Rob. The 27 double-doubles were just one big, long, continuous fluke. Plus, he has no hunger for the game, is lazy on the court, clearly never works out in the weight room and he has absolutely no will to succeed and no ability to improve. In addition, he was only rated as a 4-star recruit coming out of high school, so there is no chance he'll ever be successful in basketball.

SaltLakeHawk 10 months, 3 weeks ago

nailed it, april28. Totally agree.

Sincerely, The World's Dumbest Sports Fan

lv_jhwk 10 months, 3 weeks ago

Pessimistic? To say the least. A Jayhawk fan? I highly doubt it.

Look, I get having doubts, as everyone is entitled to opinions. But if you watched any games whatsoever from this past season, you would have seen that both of your assertions were hardly correct.

RockChalkCaliHawk 10 months, 3 weeks ago

Towards the latter part of the conference season and conference tournament I felt the same way. I felt that TRob was struggling to finish at the rim and was trying to do a little too much. However, I do feel that with him being such a raw talent that he will make the transition and will pick up quickly on the NBA game.

JayDogger 10 months, 3 weeks ago

It's all a crap shoot...in the NBA and every other sport and in life, really.

One thing about T-Rob is that he kept getting better and I don't think he's hit his ceiling yet. This past year was the first year he really made an attempt at a mid-range and 3-point game and looked pretty decent. A lot of Bigs don't much develop that part of their game until the NBA.

His rebounding will be his bread and butter and should keep him around even if his scoring is only sub-par (which I don't even think it will be).

I don't know if he'll be an All-Star but I would bet that he's still playing in the league on his 30th birthday, which would be a pretty successful career.

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