Gorman forward Morant says, ‘UNLV’
Demetris Morant is the quiet type. The high-flying power forward makes noise on a basketball court more often by dunking on a breakaway rim than by talking.
"That’s how I want it. I’m not a talkative guy at all," said Morant, a senior at Bishop Gorman High School. "Not on the court, not off the court, not at school."
Leave it to family to elaborate.
"He doesn’t really talk much. He just goes and does," said Morant’s sister and parental guardian, Nicole Bruce. "When you tell him to do something, he does it. He responds well, and that’s just like how he is on the court."
That’s good news for UNLV fans. Morant, who committed to the Rebels in late August, signed a national letter of intent with UNLV on Wednesday.
The 6-foot-9-inch Morant sported a scarlet-colored dress shirt during a ceremony in Gorman’s gym to honor 14 athletes signing with colleges Wednesday.
Also, Gorman forwards Rosco Allen (Stanford) and Ben Carter (Oregon) signed with Pac-12 Conference teams.
Morant picked UNLV over earlier scholarship offers from Memphis, San Diego State and Texas A&M.
The lanky leaper is considered raw offensively, but he has rare explosiveness for his size in transition and is a consistent shot blocker.
"He’s as good as it gets defensively," Gorman coach Grant Rice said. "He’ll make an immediate impact defensively at the next level. He’s a big-time athlete, can run the floor, and he’ll be perfect for the UNLV style of play."
Morant transferred from Tucson, Ariz., to Gorman for his junior year, and averaged 7.3 rebounds per game in limited minutes on a Sunset Region champion team last season.
He also showed his leaping ability in the spring, when he took third at the Class 4A state track meet in the triple jump at 44 feet, 2½ inches, and fifth in the high jump at 6-2.
Morant called himself "very coachable," and said he has been taking tips on perimeter skills from Gorman teammate Shabazz Muhammad, a blue-chip swingman. The two played together for Dream Vision (Calif.) over the summer.
"Playing with Shabazz, he pushes me every day to get better," Morant said.
Morant said track and field has increased his vertical leap from 20 to "37 or 38" inches, and he’s eager to play in an up-tempo system for first-year UNLV coach Dave Rice, Grant Rice’s brother.
"I like (Dave Rice’s) offensive style, running up and down the court," Morant said. "I feel like I can get a lot of touches because I’m a transition guy. It’ll be a good show out there."
Meanwhile, Allen looks forward to playing against his close friend Carter in the Pac-12.
Allen chose Stanford over UNLV and North Carolina, and Carter picked Oregon over UNLV and Utah.
"It’s not really a rivalry," Allen said. "It’s just something I’ll look forward to every year. I’m glad we’re in the same conference, so I’ll get to see him a lot."
Grant Rice said he was relieved to have signing day behind his team so players can focus solely on the season ahead. The Gaels are driven to win a state title after a stunning loss to Bishop Manogue in last year’s state semifinals.
The team’s lone marquee senior left to make his choice is Muhammad, who will decide between Texas A&M, Kentucky, Arizona, Duke, Kansas, UCLA and UNLV for the spring signing period.
"I’m pretty happy inside that this day is over with," Grant Rice said. "For these guys as well, now we can concentrate on the season."
Contact reporter Tristan Aird at taird@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-5203.