by LARRY VAUGHT
“I have been wanting to go to Kentucky for so long and now I am finally coming to Kentucky,” said Morton, the state tournament MVP in 2022 when GRC won its first state championship since 1951. “It’s great how God works. It’s amazing what he does. God makes stuff happen for a reason.
“I wanted to go to Kentucky out of high school and it did not happen. God was holding me back because he knew I was not ready for it. God makes stuff happen for a reason. I wanted to go (to UK) out of high school and it did not happen. God was holding me back because he knew I was not ready for it. God will say no for right now and know what is meant for us in the future and I am blessed to be where I am now.”
The 6-foot-4 guard started his collegiate career and played two years at Morehead State University. He played the 2025-26 season at Washington State where he started 29 of 32 games and averaged 7.8 points and 2.6 assists per game. He shot 44 percent from the field and 39 percent from 3-point range. He scored in double-figures in 10 games and dished out three or more assists 15 times.
Once he got the call from Kentucky coach Mark Pope and his staff, Morton relied on his father and cousin to help with his decision but made it clear it was his decision to come back home to play for UK.
“It has been a crazy few weeks with a lot of phone calls and texts. I enjoyed the process. I have tried just to keep my head down and keep working,” Morton said. “They have so many resources at Kentucky and a lot of good comes with playing here. There will be some great opportunities out there for me after basketball. Plus, I am back at my crib (home). I get to go home and focus on hoops. I have been away from home for three years and was really away last year. It’s good to get back in my crib and lock in.”
Morton praised the Washington State coaches for helping him develop his game and become a better player.
“Honestly, the season started so bad. I was shooting about 16 percent from 3 at the start of the year. I never let it get me down. I stayed in the gym and I am glad the coaches stayed with me instead of giving up on me. Most coaches would have said stop shooting but they let me keep playing,” Morton said.
The former GRC star said he trusted his “faith” when he moved across the country to play at Washington State.
“I did not know what to expect moving out there. My whole life I have always bet on myself. I want the best opportunity to play against high level kids. All I needed was an opportunity to prove myself, so I took it and ran with it,” Morton said. “I pray so much and God reveals reasons for me to do what I do.”
One thing has not changed in Morton’s game is his defense. He was a lockdown defender in high school and plays the same tenacious defense in college.
“I don’t care who it is … they can be worth millions (of dollars) but he puts his shoes on just like I do. I have been the one overlooked for what I do on defense. That gives me a chip on my shoulder to shock everybody with what I can do,” he said.
“If you can’t play defense in college, you are not going to play. You have got to want to play defense. I have been really good at defense my whole life. Early coaches just put me in to play defense. The competitiveness of playing defense appeals to me. I like not being scored on. I like being able to lock a player up on defense and then score on him. That’s a good way to take over a game because most guards cannot play both sides (offense and defense).”
Morton, though, wants to be more than a defensive stopper at UK. He wants to play. He’s motivated when he hears or reads that he will likely be somewhere from eight to 10 on the depth chart.
“People think I am coming to say I am on the Kentucky team. Hell no. I am one of those players that wants an opportunity to compete with anybody. If that is what is (on the depth chart), God willing I will be fine and get through it but I am coming here to make an impact and help the team win,” he said.
“That is the dream. My dream is to be on the team but the real dream is to be playing and making a difference. I am still a competitor. I have never been a cheerleader. I feel like I have not reached my full potential. I like stuff telling me what I can’t do. That motivates me. I am really looking forward to proving myself. I am not doing this for anybody else. I am here to help Kentucky win.”
