Where has time gone in the last 5 years? I remember seeing Quantez Robertson and Mike Morrison (206-C-1989, college: GMU) being clowns as usual at the Fraport Skyliners wrap up party after the end of the 2017-2018 season. Who would have thought then that those 2 guys would never be teammates again. All in all Morrison and Robertson were teammates for 4 years in Frankfurt. After that the Fraport Skyliners would make a steep dive down in results from being a BBL playoff team then to landing in the second division Pro A after the 22-23 season. Morrison would play 4 more seasons and after not playing the last season decided to hang it up after 10 seasons and not surprisingly Tez as everyone calls Quantez Robertson also decided to call it quits after a legendary 14 year career in Frankfurt. Together they played 24 years and have left lasting memories in many places especially in Frankfurt. Going out being demoted to the Pro A was difficult for Tez, but Mike Morrison knows exactly how his friend Tez will be best remembered. ‘Tez will never be remembered as a loser. He is a legend’, warned Mike Morrison. I proclaimed the beginning of the Mike Mo and Tez comedy show in 2019 and really hope that these 2 will somehow remain relevant for their fans in someway down the road. ‘We probably will go podcast on a bunch of different subjects and argue like we always do’, laughed Mike Morrison.

Mike morrison and Quantez Robertson in 2019 in Frankfurt

Mike Morrison who lists Jordan Theodore, Sean Armand, Tez, Aaron Doornekamp, Shavon Shields, Big Jo Voigtmann and Danilo Barthel as his favorite starting 5 and subs with the Fraport Skyliners was born on October 31st, 1989 and grew up in St Petersburg, Florida and attended Lakewood high school. He then had a stellar career at George Mason (NCAA) where he played a total of 127 NCAA games and had his best statistical season as a senior averaging 9.8ppg, 6.6rpg, 1.4apg, 2.0bpg, FGP: 59.0%, FT: 55.0%.He played his first 2 professional seasons in Cyprus with Cytavision Apoel Nicosia (Cyprus-Division A) averaging 11.8ppg, 5.0rpg, FGP: 62.6%, FT: 48.1% and with Joensuun Kataja Basket (Finland-Korisliiga) averaging 14.0ppg, 7.7rpg, 1.5apg, Blocks-1 (1.6bpg), FGP: 60.2%, FT: 57.7%. After 2 solid seasons, he was rewarded with a contract with the Fraport Skyliners where he would play from 2014-2018. It is fair to say that he had his most enjoyable time in his career with the Fraport Skyliners. He reached the playoffs in 3 of the 4 years losing 2 series to FC Bayern Munich despite being up 2-1 in 2018 and losing 3-2 and then losing an exciting 3-1 series to ratiopharm. He reached the Eurochallenge Final 4 in 2015 and won the Fiba Europe Cup title in 2016. ‘Frankfurt has and always will be my second home no question’, said Mike Morrison. The 2016 Fiba Europe Cup title was only the Skyliners third pro title in their history. That season, 3 things really stood out with head coach Gordon Herbert, point guard Jordan Theodore and the team chemistry that allowed them to win it all. It was the only pro title he won and it is logical it is one that he will never forget. ‘We had so much talent and love for each other. We probably had 4 fights that season because we competed so hard even in practice. We all still really genuinely got along and were tough. That’s just a magical year’, remembered Mike Morrison. He had many big games, but 2 very memorable games were against medi Bayreuth where he scored 25 points and who could forget his 35 point explosion against Basketball Champions League team Pinar Karsiyaka from Turkey on 15/17 shooting? He has one play still on his mind years later. ‘My favorite play probably was the slip and dunk on their big because it takes a lot of moving pieces for that play to work. Great team chemistry and everyone has to be on the same page’, added Mike Morrison. He would play 184 games with the Fraport Skyliners.

Tez, Miles Schmidt-Scheuber and Mike Morrison in Frankfurt in 2019

Even if the big man who enjoyed Tom Brady’s run with Tampa Bay didn’t play with Quantez Robertson again, he would face him again 1 more time in the following season when he played with easyCredit BBL team s.Oliver Wurzburg winning 91-77. He had started the season with Panevezys Lietkabelis (Lithuania-LKL) putting up solid stats with 7.0ppg, 4.6rpg, 2.1apg, 2FGP: 47.4%, FT: 54.2%; in the BCL and in the LKL averaged 10.7ppg, 5.5rpg, 1.5apg, 2FGP: 68.9%, FT: 61.5%. He then returned to Germany and averaged 7,8ppg, 4.3rpg, 1.3apg, FGP: 61.5%, FT: 42.0%; and 8.0ppg, 4.3rpg, 1.1apg, FGP: 65.3%, FT: 45.5% in the Fiba Europe Cup. In the 2019-2020 season he got to see the beautiful Greece and suited up for Peristeri GS Athens (Greece-A1) averaging 7.7ppg, 3.1rpg, 2FGP: 68.8%, FT: 43.5%; and in the Basketball Champions League averaged 6.4ppg, 2.2rpg, 1.0apg, 2FGP: 61.1%, FT: 71.4%. Many think that Greece is a 2 team league with Panathinaikos and Olympiakos dominating, but it isn’t like that at all. ‘Greece is an amazing place! Peristeri was all love and I enjoyed my time there. There is definitely a lot of talented teams outside of the 2 power houses’, said Mike Morrison. This was another season where he packed his bags early and got to experience another exotic country in Asia playing with Mono Vampire Bangkok (Thailand-TBL) averaging 14.5ppg, 11.1rpg, 2.4apg, 1.5spg, Blocks-5 (1.9bpg), FGP: 48.9%, FT: 53.8% in the up and coming ASEAN League. ‘Thailand was amazing and in the ASEAN every road game was in a different country so I was really enjoyed vit. We were in 1st and I was on my way to a championship. Unfortunately Covid derailed that’, commented Mike Morrison. He became a double double monster in that league registering 5 in his 8 games. His basketball globetrotter life continued the next season as he would play for Semt77 Yalova Belediye Spor (Turkey-TBL) averaging 12.9ppg, 6.9rpg, 2.4apg, 1.0bpg, FGP: 62.8%, FT: 52.0%. Covid made life tough for all, but there was a major issue that didn’t allow him to win another chip. ‘It sucked not having the fans. As you know, I feed off of the crowd’s energy so sometimes it was hard to have the proper motivation. That team ultimately went on to win that year but I had to leave because management wasn’t paying me money they owed me’, expressed Mike Morrison. He played his last professional season in 2021-2022 and split time with Keravnos Strovolou (Cyprus-OPAP Basket League) averaging 12.0ppg, 7.5rpg, 1.5apg, Blocks-3 (1.4bpg), FGP: 61.3%, FT: 38.5 and in Mar.’22 moved to FC Porto (Portugal-LPB) averaging 8.2ppg, 5.6rpg, 1.5apg, FGP: 57.3%, FT: 55.8%. He returned back to Cyprus where he had begun his professional career 9 years earlier. ‘ I love Cyprus and Keravnos was a great club. The league used to allow 8 foreigners so it was tougher my rookie year. But the top teams were still very talented. I definitely loved it there though’, remembered Mike Morrison. He was really consistent in Cyprus scoring in double figures in 12 of 13 games. He then finished the season in Portugal and helped win a thrilling playoff series against Sporting and then lost to Benfica. He learned not only to love Frankfurt, but Portugal came close to his heart after only a few months there. ‘ Porto was amazing. Tough environments and opponents. Loud home crowd. Amazing city. I really could of played another 5 years there’, stressed Mike Morrison.

Despite playing his last professional season in 2021-2022, why did it take so long for him to announce his retirement? ‘I ruptured my patellar. After rehab my doctor and I ultimately decided that physically it wasn’t the best idea to push the knee again’, said Mike Morrison who now enjoys watching the game and training his kids. He retired at age 33 which is a good age to come to terms with starting life after basketball. He saw a lot in his 10 year career and decided not to play as long as his buddy Tez who retired at age 38. ‘ It’s definitely a grind. So many highs and lows. Uprooting your life for a new experience over and over again. But I think each player differs. Some people decide they rather be home early others play until the wheels fall off’, stated Mike Morrison. He actually had the goal to play longer, but all in all is content with how long he was able to withstand the grind. ‘ I’m extremely happy with my career on and off the court. So many great people and great places. In 2012 I wouldn’t of been shocked. The plan was to play until 35. Why that number I’m not sure’, added Mike Morrison. Sometimes it takes guys longer to get into a routine and find a new love outside of basketball. Many guys stay linked to the game while others start a new chapter. He definitely has found a new interesting love after basketball. ‘I have a bunch of things I want to get into, but me and my best friend created a drink to combat the negative effects of alcohol. It’s capped LIV21 and one day I will have it all over Europe as well’, warned Mike Morrison. The big man definitely hopes the fans world wide will remember him like this. ‘Hard worker, the energy I bring, how mean I was on the court, and how nice I was off the court’, stressed Mike Morrison. I definitely will always have him in good memory. I didn’t talk with him so much after games as usually Tez was my interview partner, but when we did converse about the game, it was always entertaining. He was definitely a beast on the court and a gentle giant off the court. It is always fascinating to hear what guys think of me. I never would have expected these words, but it is flattering the respect one gets. ‘ Miles sometimes you get so used to your job you don’t realize the impact you have. You truly are a legend. One day there will be a documentary on you’, added Mike Morrison. I wish you all the best and hope I can have some fun with you guys on that podcast someday. Thanks for the nice memories on and off the court.

Tags : MIKE MORRISON, FC PORTO, GERMAN BASKETBALL