After two years in Charlottesville, University Virginia sophomore guard Casey Morsell has decided to transfer.
Today, I have made the decision to enter the transfer portal. I would like to thank the UVA family for a great experience and opportunity to grow. Please keep me in your prayers as I prepare for my next step in this journey.
Charlottesville. THANK YOU 💙🧡 pic.twitter.com/Bvb7TYrJwW
— Casey Morsell (@CaseyMorsell) March 25, 2021
As a freshman, the 6’3”, 196-pound guard from Fort Washington (MD) excited Cavalier fans with a 19-point performance in a November victory over Arizona State. He would play 30 games that 2019-20 season, averaging four points (27.7% FG, 17.7% 3PFG) and 21.8 minutes per game. Morsell averaged 4.4 points per game (39.6% FG, 26.3% 3PFG) his sophomore campaign but saw his minutes fall as he averaged 15 minutes per contest. The athletic Morsell was considered one of UVA’s top on-ball defenders for the Hoos this season.
The first commitment of Virginia basketball’s class of 2019, Morsell was a consensus 4-star prospect and Top 100 recruit out of St. John’s College (Washington, D.C.). He chose the Hoos over Oklahoma State and Penn State as well as offers from Florida, Georgetown, Maryland, St. Joseph’s and Virginia Tech, among others.
Morsell becomes the first player to depart the program this spring. Virginia head coach Tony Bennett indicated on his March 24 ‘Coach’s Corner’ radio show (click here to watch/listen) that he does not expect any of the senior scholarship players – All ACC First-Team forward Sam Hauser, All ACC Second-Team forward/center Jay Huff, guard Tomas Woldetensae – to return next season despite the fact that the NCAA has granted all student athletes an extra year of eligibility because of the pandemic. Sure enough, Hauser announced his intentions Thursday evening.
This University and this program will forever hold a place in my life. I am excited in pursuing the next step in my career at the next level!
— Sam Hauser (@Big_Smooth10) March 25, 2021
Assuming none of the three seniors return and in light of Morsell’s decision, Virginia basketball’s roster projection for the 2021-22 season is trimmed to 10 scholarship players.
Point Guards: Kihei Clark (Sr), Reece Beekman (Soph)
Wings: Trey Murphy III (Sr), Kody Stattmann (Jr), Jabri Abdur-Rahim (Soph), Carson McCorkle (Soph), Taine Murray (Fr)
Combo Forwards: Justin McKoy (Jr)
Posts: Francisco Caffaro (R-Jr), Kadin Shedrick (R-Soph)
Holy Moly!! Gonna need to hit hard the transfer portal next year. I understand there is a guy floating around UNC that’s looking elsewhere, and he’s 7 feet. Hmmm. No Kracken, no problem?