TAIPEI (FIBA U18 Asian Championship 2018) - Jonah Morrison has been pegged as a promising prospect for the Chinese Taipei national team ever since he made the U16 team back in 2015. As the youngest player of the team back then, Morrison wasn’t able to log a single minute due to an injury in the 2015 FIBA U16 Asian Championship where the Chinese Taipei finished in 2^nd place. However, he would later make his national team debut in a larger stage at the 2016 FIBA U17 World Championship.

 Morrison played limited minutes, logging only 16.6 minutes but put up a solid 4.4 points and 2.7 rebounds against some of the best youth prospects from all over the world. He still had a way to go towards becoming among the elite level of players, but the 6’8” center was surely on the right path.

 The next step for the 18-year-old would once again put his name on the radar, after putting on an impressive outing at the 2017 FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup. Chinese Taipei finished in 3^rd place, despite coming into the tournament ranked at number 13. A large reason for their success was Morrison who displayed a versatile game of long range shooting, nimble moves in the paint, and intimidating defense.

 
After scoring 23 points in 5 games, Morrison was showing great potential in his development.

He’s been named to the Chinese Taipei national team once again, now for the U18 team that will be competing in the FIBA U18 Asian Championship in Thailand. If Morrison can translate the versatility which he exhibited in the 3x3 platform to 5x5 basketball, he will be a crucial piece to the team and their hopes of securing a ticket to the FIBA U19 World Championship.

 As the tallest player listed on the team, there will be a lot of hope riding on Morrison’s shoulders. If he continues to improve to the potential that he has been displaying, Chinese Taipei should have no problem coming out of Group D against the likes of Korea, India, and Syria to advance to deeper rounds.

FIBA