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The first roster movement of the 2021 off-season has occurred as Virginia’s Casey Morsell has entered the transfer portal. Morsell, a sophomore, played in 23 of Virginia’s 25 games this season and averaged 4.4 points per game. Verbal Commits had the news first:
Virginia G Casey Morsell (SO) has entered the transfer portal. https://t.co/eQzAhGw3QF
— Verbal Commits (@VerbalCommits) March 25, 2021
Morsell, a Maryland native, joined Virginia the summer after the 2019 NCAA championship and played in all 30 games in his first season with the Cavaliers. He struggled offensively, shooting just 38% from two and 18% from three, but he was a solid defender. Those defensive abilities — coupled with high personnel turnover after the title — got him on the court. Morsell was the first true freshman to start for Tony Bennett in a season opener since Mike Tobey, Justin Anderson, and Taylor Barnette in 2012.
Today, I have made the decision to enter the transfer portal. I would like to thank the UVA family for a great experience and opportunity to grow. Please keep me in your prayers as I prepare for my next step in this journey.
— Casey Morsell (@CaseyMorsell) March 25, 2021
Charlottesville. THANK YOU pic.twitter.com/Bvb7TYrJwW
In the 2019 Air Force Reserve Tip-Off Tournament, Morsell almost single-handedly willed the Hoos to a win in the championship game as he scored a career-high 19 points against Arizona State.
He scored 10 points in Virginia’s road win at North Carolina in 2020 (the Woldetensae buzzer-beater game) and added three rebounds, three steals, and an assist.
In 2020-21, Morsell scored a season-high 15 points on 6-for-7 shooting as he went a perfect 3-for-3 from three. He improved his shooting in year two, but still couldn’t hit a really good rhythm as he shot 47% from two and 26% from three.
Morsell, like a lot of players in the country, could have really benefitted from a proper off-season and pre-season, but the pandemic had other plans.
There have been a lot of moves on the transfer market over the last few days with big names like Walker Kessler (UNC), Marcus Carr (Minnesota), Jalen Cone (Virginia Tech), Qudus Wahab (Georgetown), and Jaemyn Brakefield (Duke) all entering the portal.
We won’t have a good idea of what Virginia’s roster will look like next season for several months, but we wish Casey the best of luck at his next stop.