Longhorns G Arterio Morris Will Enter Transfer Portal
AUSTIN, Texas -- The Texas Longhorns took another major hit to their backcourt on Monday.
Texas guard Arterio Morris intends to enter the transfer portal after just one season on the Forty Acres, per reports from On3.
Headed into the first full season under new head coach Rodney Terry, Morris was potentially set to take on a starting role with the departure of guards Marcus Carr and Sir'Jabari Rice. Starting guard Tyrese Hunter has an uncertain return as well, as he'll be testing the NBA Draft waters.
But perhaps Morris sees the writing on the wall. Texas could be adding veteran guards through the transfer portal, potentially hindering his playing time even further headed into his sophomore season.
Morris' career at Texas was clouded with controversy before it began. He was arrested by Frisco Police in early June 2022 before being charged with misdemeanor assault after a physical altercation with his ex-girlfriend, according to police records.
Both the university and former Texas coach Chris Beard never suspended Morris headed into the season, and the topic was not addressed by the team or coaching staff after Beard's own arrest and eventual firing quickly became the story of the season.
Morris' trial was originally set for March 29 in Denton County, but was postponed during Texas' March Madness run.
Morris averaged 4.6 points and 1.4 rebounds in 11.8 minutes per contest while appearing off the bench in all 38 games for the Longhorns this past season. Even on a deep group of veterans, he showed promising flashes as a freshman, which included a 25-point performance in a win over Louisiana on Dec. 21.
He joined forward Dillon Mitchell as a pair of two five-star recruits in Texas' 2022 recruiting class last season. Morris signed his letter of intent almost a full year before his first collegiate season, showing little doubt that Austin was where he wanted to go.
But instead, the Longhorns will now have another hole to fill in a roster that was already experiencing major turnover this offseason.
You can follow Zach Dimmitt on Twitter at @ZachDimmitt7
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