NBA guard Monte Morris - The Basketball Movement

NBA guard Monte Morris gets in work with Rob Yanders and The Basketball Movement.

The 51st pick of the 2017 NBA Draft (second round), Monte Morris was thrilled to be drafted, but knows that he should have gone higher. Very confident but chill, Monte is a cool customer on and off the court.

2017 was the first year of the NBA's two-way contracts, expanding NBA rosters from 15 to 17 players. This allows two players to simultaneously play for their NBA teams and G-League affiliate.

The two-way contract allowed Monte Morris to gain valuable NBA experience with the Denver Nuggets while staying in great shape and putting up impressive numbers in the G-League for the Rio Grand Valley Vipers.

Morris averaged an impressive 18/4.5/7 line for the Vipers, starting 35 of his 37 games played. He also hit 1.7 threes per contest. Monte got it done on defense too, averaging 1.8 steals per game.

Monte Morris' two-way contract year was a success, and now he is focused on securing a new deal by stepping up his game and showing out at the NBA Summer League once again.

Morris on the rise with help from The Basketball Movement

Waiting patiently for his turn is how Morris described his NBA outlook. He knows that his time will come - it is primarily in the hands of the Denver Nuggets now. In the meantime, Monte is putting in work on his game.

Monte Morris grew up in Michigan and played four years of college ball with Iowa State. Fellow Iowa State Alum, Deonte Burton was his connection to the basketball mecca of the Midwest - The Basketball Movement.

Speaking with Monte, he mentions the efficient pace of the workouts with The Basketball Movement. He notes the intensity as an effective use of time to get in a great session, no matter the duration.

He also spoke about a competitive advantage that The Movement holds over other organizations:

“The film analysis has helped me a lot. That’s something that other training facilities don’t have.”

— - NBA Guard, Monte Morris

For pro-level or even college-level players, film analysis becomes very important. There are not many places that can show you how to practice this effectively before you are already a pro.

Morris' next steps

Film analysis is important, but so is staying in shape and constantly improving. Asking Morris about what he is currently working on, he cited "A lot, but right now adjusting my shot to keep my guide hand off the ball more. So my shot has changed, but I'm already adjusting."

He said that game speed was probably the biggest adjustment from college to the pro level, but it did not take too many reps to get acclimated. He is now ready to take the league by storm.

His short-term goal? "Dominate Summer League." We believe he can.

With Monte Morris and other players that have worked with The Basketball Movement primed to take charge of the NBA Summer League, keep an eye out here for big names to watch for as we and our players continue to elevate.

Basketball Movement testimonial - Wil Harrington

The Basketball Movement can mean a lot of different things to different people. For me, it elevated more than my game.

I was first introduced to the way of The Basketball Movement before it had that title. I was probably 11 or 12 when I first met Robert Yanders and witnessed firsthand what the Movement was all about.

Rob was a hard-nosed player that made up for his smaller stature by outworking everyone else and taking advantage of his strengths. He brings his intensity and intrinsic motivation and uses it to maximum effect as a coach.

I remember going through speed and skill trainings with Robert while I was in Jr. High. Basketball was always my favorite sport, but I knew that I wasn't in it to become a collegiate player or anything.

Training with Robert was probably the most physically demanding thing I have ever done. I dropped gallons of sweat in the same gym where The Basketball Movement still coaches players today.

Yanders Law guard Anton Brookshire grinding it out with the Basketball Movement in Missouri.

One of the biggest takeaways from my time was what I learned about mind over body. I remember running lines with another player, my buddy Derrick. Rob set a time we had to make it in. We didn't, so he took time off the clock.

That didn't make a lot of sense to me. We ran it again and of course didn't make the new time, now exhausted, as it was pretty late in the workout. Robert took a couple more seconds off the clock. I was too tired to consider that maybe he was just crazy.

Without saying a word to each other, Derrick and I got back on the line and knew that if we didn't make it this time, we were going to keep running forever. Once Rob said go, I moved my tired body as fast as I've ever run before.

We both made it under the new time, even though we were much more tired and had a much loftier goal than the first few attempts. That taught me a lot about what I could do, and what it takes to achieve even the toughest goals.

The discipline and ability to push myself to the limit were lessons that I applied to my whole life, not just basketball. I overcame tough coaches, tough teammates, and did certainly gain some foot-speed and athleticism.

What I leaned from Robert as a coach and as a man has helped me in school and work. Now, he is helping me pursue my interest in writing by handing me the reigns to The Basketball Movement blog.

I would highly recommend The Basketball Movement to anyone. Whether it is skill training or even just the Saturday open clinic. Parents, get your kids in front of Robert Yanders. Rob is one of the most positive influences I can imagine for players of any age.

Dive in to all The Movement has to offer, and keep it locked here for more basketball content. Follow me @WilHarrington