The Weekly Ten With Jordan Morgan
11/23/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Nov. 23, 2009
Every Monday, MGoBlue.com's Brad Rudner and Scott Brimacombe will sit down with a different member associated with the Michigan men's basketball program for 10 questions, called "The Weekly Ten". Scott will come up with the questions and Brad will get the answers.
This week, we sit down with freshman forward Jordan Morgan to talk about his recovery from offseason knee surgery, family life and his future.
Check back every Monday all season long for more installments!
How is your recovery from knee surgery going?
10. "At this point, for the last two months, it's been less about my knee and more about getting the muscles around my knee stronger. It healed real well and now it's just about getting my strength back and getting back to playing basketball."
What has been the hardest part about going through rehabilitation?
9. "The hardest part is realizing you can't do everything like you could before the injury. It's weird, but it's almost like you forget how to play. For the first couple of weeks back, even a little bit in practice, everything was going really fast and I didn't really know what was going on."
For Michigan fans that haven't seen you play, what aspect of your game do you think you'd be able to contribute to the team?
8. "My presence inside. I'm very physical and strong. I pride myself on rebounding and playing defense more than anything."
Was there a player you followed more closely as you were growing up? (Is there someone you model your game after)?
7. "Recently, I've tried to watch a lot of (Orlando Magic center) Dwight Howard... big, strong players like that. When I was younger, not so much, but I try to take what they do and learn it to better expand my game."
 | "As crazy as it sounds, I really enjoy school. I like doing things that make you think... Discovery Channel and things like that." |
You also played baseball growing up, right? Pitchers probably were pretty intimidated to see you step up to the plate...
6. "I pitched and played a little first base. When I was younger, maybe 13, I played travel baseball, and I was big then, too, maybe 6-foot-3 or so. Most of the other kids were 5-foot-6 and they would be intimidated. I was by far and away the biggest kid out there."
What is the biggest obstacle you've had to overcome in your life?
5. "When I was younger, it was pretty rough for me and my mom, because it was just the two of us. That was tough. Since then, the knee is probably the biggest obstacle. It's been a grounding experience."
You grew up as one of seven children in your family. The house had to be chaotic at times. How did your parents handle raising so many kids?
4. "When my mom married my dad he had five kids and then he adopted me. It is tough to put it into words for me too because we dont ever differentiate we are just a family. The house was pretty crazy, but at the same time, my brothers and sisters accepted me from the start. It's nice to know that you have a whole bunch of people who have your back."
What do you do before a game to get yourself mentally prepared?
3. "I like to get quiet and listen to music, usually rap or hip-hop. It takes you away from everything. I try to focus on what it is from before that I didn't do so well or that I could build upon from the last game. It's all about focus and understanding what my team is going to need from me."
What is something that you do off the court that people would be surprised to hear? (Hobby, different sport...)
2. "As crazy as it sounds, I really enjoy school. I'm an engineering major and I really like math. I like doing things that make you think... Discovery Channel and things like that. I love learning about new things."
Five years from now, where are you and what are you doing?
1. "I definitely want to be playing basketball, because it's what I love to do. I know I am going to push myself to work, but God willing, I'll be playing basketball. If not, hopefully a successful career, somewhere in between engineering and business."
DOUBLE BONUS
If I were to give you a ticket to one sporting event, any sport, anywhere, which one would you choose?
"Man, I would want to go see LeBron James in the playoffs. He's definitely my favorite player. I want to see one of his big-time performances, maybe in Madison Square Garden... for the Cavs, for the Knicks, Nets, it doesn't matter. I just remember watching him in the playoffs against the Pistons in '07 and that was it."
