Jerone Morton Ditches Washington State for Kentucky's Bench, And Coug Fans Are Rightfully Confused
Okay, Cougar fans, grab your favorite brew, because this one's a shocker right out of the gate! Jerone Morton, our guy, the Washington State guard, just inked a deal to play for Kentucky. Yeah, you read that right. And the kicker? He's apparently cool with being a backup. Seriously, what in the world just happened?!
From Washington State Starter to Kentucky Bench?!
Morton, a true native of Winchester, Kentucky, made it official after an official visit with Kentucky over the weekend. He's got one year of college eligibility remaining, heading straight back to his home state. He's no stranger to success there, leading George Rogers Clark to a state championship in 2022 and even snagging tournament MVP honors. Kentucky head coach Mark Pope reached out earlier this month, even FaceTiming Morton before the official visit.
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But here’s the part that’ll make you scratch your head harder than a confused Husky fan: his dad, Derrick Morton, spilled the tea to KSR+ that Kentucky basically told his son he would "most likely" be a backup. Derrick quoted the coach directly, saying, "He told Jerone that, most likely, he’s going to be a backup guy. Jerone asked him what he sees his role being on the team. That’s what he told him, that he would be a backup person." From being a key starter here in the Pacific Northwest to accepting a bench role back home? Talk about a curveball nobody saw coming!
What This Means for the Cougs: Losing a Proven Player
Let's talk about what Morton brought to the table for our Cougs last year. As a junior, he was a fixture on the court, starting in a whopping 29 of 32 games for Washington State! He put up solid, consistent numbers, averaging 7.8 points, 2.6 assists, and 1.9 rebounds per contest. And he was efficient too, shooting a respectable 43.8% from the field, a sharp 38.7% from three-point range, and a sweet 82% from the free-throw line. He even knocked down an average of 1.0 three-pointer per game on 2.5 attempts, showing his range, even if it was a slight dip from his sophomore year at Morehead State.
Morton knew how to get buckets when it mattered. He scored in double figures in ten different games, including that career-best 16 points when the Cougs faced off against No. 9 Gonzaga on January 16. That was a performance that showed what he was truly capable of! His dad perfectly summed up his game, saying, "He handles the ball extremely well, creates, sees the floor well, and scores when he gets the chance. He’s a good playmaker and a good team player.” Those are qualities WSU will certainly miss.
So, what's next for the Cougs as they navigate this unexpected departure? Who steps up to fill those starting minutes and crucial playmaking opportunities? This is a real head-scratcher for sure, but you know our Washington teams always find a way to battle and adapt. Keep those eyes peeled on Pullman, folks, because the roster moves ain't over, and we'll be watching every step!
This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.