Newman graduate student and men’s basketball player AJ Morris was tabbed The Community Voice Student-Athlete of the Week. The honor was bestowed by the publishing platform to Black student-athletes in the Wichita area for their efforts and achievements in the classroom as well as in competition.
Morris, a graduate transfer from Alcorn State, is a Cary, North Carolina, native. AJ came to Newman to pursue his MBA after earning his bachelor’s degree in communication. The MBA student was previously recruited by men’s basketball head coach R.J. Allen and his staff when Morris was searching for a school after his time in junior college.
Morris said, “I liked Newman a lot when I came on my visit… after I graduated from Alcorn, I wanted to go somewhere where I felt wanted, and Coach Allen showed me a lot of love in 2019 and even this past year when I entered the transfer portal.”
Allen was also featured in an article that discussed his role as the “first Black man to lead the only private NCAA Division II program in the state of Kansas” (The Community Voice, Malcolm Carter).
Coach Allen’s dedication to his players is not only in on-court development but also developing the student-athlete as a full person. Allen saw early success when taking over the Jets men’s basketball program, and as he enters his fifth season at the helm, he looks for more success this year.
Read the full stories from The Community Voice in the links provided. For more information about men’s basketball or Newman Athletics check out newmanjets.com for the latest news, stories and updates.
