Former small forward Adam Morrison was the third pick in the 2006 NBA Draft, but his professional career is widely regarded as a bust.
Morrison grew up as a ball-boy for Gonzaga, the school where he would later become the country's leading scorer and would share player of the year honors with Duke's J.J. Redick.
In his rookie season, Morrison averaged 11.8 points with the Bobcats but lost his starting role midway through the season. This was followed by a torn ACL, a lost season, a new coach, a trade to the Lakers, and a couple of seasons at the end of the bench on two championship teams.
His playing days are now done and Morrison is the newest addition to Gonzaga's basketball staff.
Speaking to The Spokesman-Review, Morrison claims he's come to terms with how his NBA career ended.
"There was a time in the past it was really upsetting," Morrison said. "It was a combination of things. I didn't play well my first year and then I had a knee injury. Then there was a new coach and I got traded to a very good team. So that part is frustrating, but at the same time I had so many life experiences, made so many friends and did so many things that other people have never had the opportunity to do. I had a good career leading up to that and I'm settled with it."
The former player also said he decided to call it quits after getting cut by the Trail Blazers, where he enjoyed a brief stay roughly 11 months ago.
"I made that decision the day I got by Portland," Morrison said. "As good as I played in summer league and then I couldn't even get a half-guarantee (contract) or a make-good (contract). I went to Europe and played well. Then I came back and had a good summer league and if I can't make it then I'm not going to be one of those guys that beats my head against the wall. Sometimes you have to look at yourself in the mirror."
