PLAYER PROFILE

GEORGE MORRIS

STATISTICS & HISTORY

George Morris remains one of the least appreciated and overlooked  figures of the early years of professional basketball. Morris had a noteworthy career that spanned twenty seasons as one of the premier defenders in the early years of the professional game. Morris was a quiet, taciturn man whose exploits were overshadowed by his more flamboyant teammate, Andy Sears. Morris starred at Reading, Pennsylvania High School and then at age 19 joined his hometown professional team. Playing as independents, the Reading squad won 156 and lost only 19 games over three seasons from 1906 through 1909. Just prior to the start of the 1909-10 season, Morris signed a contract with McKeesport entry in the Central Basketball League. In his first two seasons, the McKeesport team captured two CBL championships. Morris had minimal offensive skills, but he played in an era when it was not a factor. His impact on the team far exceeded his minuscule scoring statistics. He was a relentless defender and intelligent strategist who masterfully directed McKeesport’s defenses. His quiet temperament served as the perfect counter-balance to the volcanic Sears. Over the next half-dozen seasons, Morris remained the most effective defender on the best defensive team of the era. He could dominate a game without scoring. When the CBL collapsed in 1912, Morris returned to Reading where he joined his hometown’s Eastern Basketball League team. Morris and Sears led Reading to two EBL championships in their first three seasons in the league. Morris remained with the team until his retirement in 1925, serving in the later years as player-coach.

 

GEORGE MORRIS Height: 5:08 Weight: 155 College: None
George Stanley Kirkhouse Morris Born:  Feb 7, 1886 Died:  May, 1970 Hometown: Reading, Pa.
REGULAR SEASON RECORD
Year Team League     GA  FGM  FTM   FTA  PCT.  AST  PTS AVG
1902-03 Reading Indep
1903-04 Reading Indep
1904-05 Reading Indep
1905-06 Reading P&R Indep
1906-07 Reading Indep
1907-08 Reading Indep 64 50 0 100 1.6
1908-09 Reading Indep 52 87 0 174 3.3
1909-10 McKeesport CBL 31 31 0 62 2.0
1910-11 McKeesport CBL 64 68 0 136 2.1
1911-12 Uniontown CBL 65 62 0 124 1.9
1912-13 Reading EBL 40 42 0 28 84 2.1
1913-14 Reading EBL 40 63 0 36 126 3.2
1914-15 Reading EBL 42 67 0 134 3.2
1915-16 Reading EBL 40 44 0 27 88 2.2
1916-17 Reading EBL 40 42 0 34 84 2.1
1917-18 Reading EBL 5 2 5 0 9 1.8
1919-20 Nanticoke PSL 3 1 1 9 .111 2 3 1.0
1919-20 Reading EBL 39 39 50 120 .417 13 128 3.3
1920-21 Reading EBL 40 42 35 119 3.0
1921-22 Reading EBL 39 20 34 77 .442 26 74 1.9
1922-23 Reading EBL 17 11 13 27 .481 10 35 2.1
1923-24 Reading Bears Indep
1923-24 Holy Name PBL 10 2 5 9 0.9
1925-26 Reading EBL 2 0 0 0 0.0
Major League Totals 517 536 143 1215 2.4
1913 POST SEASON RECORD
Year Team League     GA  FGM  FTM   FTA  PCT.  AST  PTS AVG
1910-11 McKeesport WS 3 3 0 2 6 2.0
1912-13 Reading WS 5 4 0 8 1.6
1920-21 Reading EBL 2 2 2 6 3.0
Major League Totals 10 9 2 20 2.0

 

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