ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Laval Lucas-Perry is headed to Michigan
after leaving Arizona following only one semester, giving coach
John Beilein a player who should help the Wolverines rebuild.
"Laval called coach Beilein today and told him he's
transferring to Michigan," Laval Perry, the player's father, said
Wednesday. "He considered Michigan and Wake Forest strongly and in
the end, he felt like Michigan was the best fit.
"He really likes Beilein's coaching style. He also likes the
way Beilein lets players communicate with him and the fact that
he's been a winner at every team he has coached."
Perry said his son will enroll at Michigan next month, making
him eligible to play in January of 2009. He is expected to attend
Saturday's game at Crisler Arena against UCLA, but will be
relegated to watching from the stands.
The 6-foot-3 guard transferred from Arizona earlier this month
after averaging four points, 1.6 rebounds, nearly an assist and 9.8
minutes over five games.
At Flint Powers Catholic High School, Lucas-Perry was an
Associated Press Class B All-State player in 2007 and 2006 and
earned special mention in 2005.
He averaged 26 points, seven rebounds and six assists as a
senior and was ranked as No. 20 among point guards by Rivals.com, a
scouting Web site.
"We feel that Laval is the sleeper of this class," Arizona
coach Lute Olson said a year ago. "He's a competitor who won't
back down from anyone."
Michigan also lost a player on Wednesday, when Beilein announced
wing K'Len Morris was leaving the program for personal reasons.
"This was an unexpected situation, but given the fact that
K'Len's family has moved to Mississippi during the summer we fully
understand the choice K'Len had to make for himself," coach John
Beilein said Wednesday in a statement. "We will continue to offer
any support that he will need now and in the future."
The former Grand Blanc High School standout played in all 11
games as a reserve wing this season, averaging 2.2 points and 1.1
rebounds, after missing 28 games last year as a freshman because of
a left shoulder injury.
Morris had a career-high nine points and played a career-long 16
minutes in last week's win against Oakland.
"This was a difficult decision to make," Morris said in a
statement released by the school. "Right now, I need to make sure
I take care of my family and myself. I want to thank the U-M
coaching staff, my teammates and the university as a whole for
understanding my situation. I am forever grateful for the
opportunity to attend this university and play for a wonderful
program.
"At this time, basketball is just secondary."
Sophomore Kendric Price left Michigan's basketball program two
months ago, but remained enrolled on scholarship.
Both Morris and Price were recruited by Tommy Amaker, who was
fired after last season and replaced by Beilein.