Clichés aside, Malik Morgan is living the dream.
The former John Curtis star who led the Patriots to the Class 2A state title last season is following in his mother, Detra’s, footsteps as he tries to establish himself in Johnny Jones’ first season.
“My mom played volleyball here. She was an All [Southeastern Conference] player,” Morgan said. “I just wanted to come here and create my own legacy.”
Starring on two SEC Championship teams in 1985 and 1986, Detra Brown led LSU in kills, hitting percentage and digs in 1985, all the while influencing her son from childhood.
Although he committed under former coach Trent Johnson, Morgan said he never wavered in his pledge to the Tigers after Johnson bolted for TCU.
“I just wanted to play in my backyard,” Morgan said. “I always felt like this was the school for me since I was young.”
Morgan’s loyalty to the stately oaks had wide-ranging implications, especially impressing junior guard Andre Stringer.
“I think it said a lot about his character,” Stringer said. “He wasn’t trying to be a selfish guy. I think that shows a commitment not to a coach, but to the school itself.
Carrying his passion for the purple and gold onto the practice court, Morgan continues to impress Jones with his rapid progression in transition into the college game.
The transition looked seamless Monday as Morgan poured in 18 points off the bench, knocking down all three of his three point attempts in an exhibition against Arkansas-Monticello.
“Coming off the bench didn’t mean anything for me,” Morgan said. “I just wanted to stay focused the whole game.”
Unsure of who will become the fifth starter before the team’s Nov. 9 opener against UCSB, Jones hinted that Morgan could take over the starting job at the wing, opposite Stringer.
“[Morgan] is very coachable and eager to learn,” Jones said. “He’s a lot farther along than I thought he’d be.”
Reigning praise upon his crew of teammates, Morgan said the talent he’s surrounded by is not only making him a better player, but providing a glimpse into the future.
“We have one of the best point guards in my eyes, [sophomore Anthony] Hickey, one of the fastest point guards,” Morgan said. “We have one of the great shooters in Stringer on the other wing … so we’re just going to run as hard as we can.”
Stringer said he’s been impressed with Morgan thus far in practice, specifically his nose for the ball and his ability to create open jumpers.
“He’s very explosive and a fast guy,” Stringer said. “He deflects a lot of passes and gets a lot of rebounds, so I’ve seen a lot from him so far.”
Heading into the team’s exhibition against Arkansas-Monticello Monday, Morgan vowed to do whatever he could to ensure success.
“I think everyone understands what their role is and everyone understands what they can do,” Morgan said. “We’ve just got to play to each other’s strength.”
