Open Announce

New Mexico Adds Forward Morris Udeze

by Steve Kirkland

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – The New Mexico men’s basketball program announced Tuesday the addition of Morris Udeze, a transfer forward from Wichita State. The 6-8, 245-pound native of Houston, Texas will have one year of eligibility with the Lobos after playing the last four seasons for the Shockers.

During his career at Wichita State, Udeze appeared in 93 games, starting 54 contests. He helped the Shockers win the 2021 American Athletic Conference regular season title, reach the 2021 NCAA Tournament and the 2019 NIT Semifinals.

“We set out to add an impact transfer in the frontcourt, somebody who has played and produced at the highest level, and Morris is that,” said head coach Richard Pitino. “He is tough, physical, can score down low and can rebound. Morris fits into the culture we are trying to build, which is guys who want to live in the gym and work.”

Udeze started 27 games for the Shockers in 2021-22, averaging 10.2 points and a team-high 6.1 rebounds per game. He scored in double figures in 13 games, highlighted by a season-high 19 points on 7-of-8 shooting against Kansas State. In AAC play, he ranked fourth in the conference in offensive rebounding (2.5 orpg), sixth in rebounding (6.5 rpg) and 10th in blocks (1.0 bpg).

In 2020-21, Udeze started all 22 games for Wichita State as it was selected to the NCAA Tournament. He averaged 10.3 points and 4.7 rebounds per game, scoring in double figures 13 times. He scored a career-high 22 points in the NCAA First Four against Drake and was named the AAC Player of the Week after a 20-point performance against Tulsa in January.

“New Mexico was a great fit with great people and I really respect the staff,” said Udeze. “They have really good guards and they needed a big to come in and make an impact right away. That was a major factor in my choice to become a Lobo and I am excited to get on the court.”

Udeze, a three-time AAC All-Academic Team honoree, primarily came off the bench for Wichita State over his first two seasons, posting three double-figure scoring games.