SCOUTING REPORT: Morakinyo has improved. I remember Morakinyo from his junior year in high school and he is a much more polished player. He has great size and has learned how to use it on both ends of the floor. I really like how he has developed his body so that he can run the floor and play long periods of time. In our system, Morakinyo's presence will make a big difference.
SOPHOMORE (2008-09, Duquesne): Practiced with the team while sitting out the season per NCAA transfer guidelines.
International Play (Summer 2008): Spent the summer of 2008 as a member of the Great Britain U20 team ... averaged 6.0 points and 4.8 rebounds in just over 14 minutes per game as the British Team went 3-5 in finishing 15th at the European Championship B Division at Targu Mures, Romania ... scored 14 points in 18 minutes (7-of-10 from the field) in a tournament-opening win over Finland ... added nine boards in 18 minutes in a second-game loss to Portugal ... rallied to score 11 points in 20 minutes of an 88-55 win over Ireland in Great Britain's final game.
FRESHMAN (2007-08, Kentucky): Averaged 0.8 points and 1.0 rebounds per game ... scored all four of his points and pulled down all five of his rebounds in a career-high 19 minutes in the season opening 67-40 win over Central Arkansas ... did not score in limited action against Liberty, Texas Southern, Tennessee Tech and Florida International ... did not play in the final 19 games of the season.
HIGH SCHOOL: Bishop Ireton High School in Alexandria, Va. ... played under Head Coach Mark Vincent ... averaged 14.0 points and 10.0 rebounds per game as a senior ... was rated as a Top 100 senior recruit by Bob Gibbons ... earned spots on the BoJangles and Bishop Ireton Christmas Tournament all-tournament teams ... named third team 2007 Washington Catholic Athletic Conference as a senior and honorable mention All-WCAC as a junior despite being slowed by a knee injury ... was MVP of the 2006 Bishop Ireton Invitational.
PERSONAL: Full name is Morakinyo Michael Williams ... Son of Patricia Oke and Romeo Williams ... Born Nov. 22, 1988 ... earned a degree in integrated marketing communications from Duquesne University ... his first name means "strong, dependable man" in Yoruba - a dialect of West Africa ... pursuing a graduate degree in health exercise sports science.
