Morrison will finish the spring semester and likely will attend summer school and work basketball camp in Chapel Hill before moving on to another school. It is undetermined at this time to which school Morrison will transfer.
"This was a very difficult decision for me to make, but I believe it is best if I pursue another school to finish my collegiate basketball career," says Morrison. "Despite some speculation, this is a decision I made only this week while I was on spring break as I had time to think what was best for me. I'll miss the University, my coaches and teammates and all the friends I have made here in Chapel Hill. I don't want people to make judgments about the coaches, my academics, the University or my feelings for Carolina basketball. I just think I will be more successful if I move on to another situation. I appreciate Coach Doherty's willingness to help me find another school."
Morrison averaged 7.1 points this year and led the Tar Heels with 42 three-point field goals made. He was third on the team with 72 assists. He scored a career-high 21 points in Carolina's win over Georgia Tech and added 19 in a win over Saint Joseph's. The Redmond, Wash., native scored in double figures 10 times in 28 games. He had a season-high six assists on two occasions.
"Brian and I met last night and agreed it was in his best interest to find another opportunity for him to finish his college career," says head coach Matt Doherty. "I am disappointed Brian will be leaving UNC, but I understand it is best in this situation. I told him my staff and I will do everything we can to make sure he lands at a school where he will have the best chance to play and improve as a basketball player. Brian is a terrific person and tremendous athlete. We'll miss his athleticism, his ability to take the ball to the basket and his long-range shooting, but we'll miss him as a teammate even more."
Note: Per NCAA scholarship limits, Morrison's transfer does not give the University a fourth grant-in-aid for the 2003-04 season (provided the Tar Heels sign five student-athletes to National Letters of Intent for the 2002-03 season).