It was indeed a heartbreaking moment for the NBA family when former point guard Darius Morris passed away at just 33 on May 4. New details surrounding his untimely demise have recently emerged.
The Los Angeles County medical examiner revealed that Morris succumbed to a heart attack induced partly by drugs and alcohol. The findings were reported by ABC 7.
The official cause of death disclosed last Friday pointed to coronary heart disease, also known as coronary artery atherosclerosis. Additionally, traces of cocaine, hydrocodone, and ethanol were detected in his system, cited as contributing factors to his tragic passing.
Morris’ basketball journey began at Windward School in Mar Vista, where he honed his skills before realizing his dream of being drafted by the Lakers. With an impressive stint at the University of Michigan, he caught the eye of the NBA, making a mark with his talent.
Reminiscing about Morris, Mike Bresnahan of Spectrum SportsNet shared with The Los Angeles Times’ Steve Henson, “Darius was always a friendly face, perpetually in good spirits. He embraced his NBA journey with enthusiasm and never failed to enjoy himself.”
Morris was the Lakers’ 41st pick in 2011, playing 132 games across various NBA teams. Throughout his career, he maintained averages of 3.3 points, 1.0 rebound, and 1.4 assists per game, showcasing a potential bright future with the Lakers.
After his Lakers stint, Morris navigated through different NBA teams before venturing to China to continue his basketball endeavors. Despite efforts to rejoin the NBA through the G-League route, his return was unfortunately not realized. His absence continues to be deeply felt, and our thoughts are with his loved ones during this difficult time.