VIDEO: Exclusive interview: Ghana’s fastest rising star Julian Morgan

He blazed the trail for Mfantsipim for four years and won as many as seven titles during his spell with the Central Regional Senior High School in Ghana.

Julian Morgan is the reigning Senior High School MVP after a rather outstanding performance for his school.

Highly regarded as one of the brightest talents to have emerged from Ghana, Morgan is expected to take his game to a higher notch

Question: Can you tell is more about yourself?

Morgan: Well you name. People say I’m a cool guy. I love God, My priorities in life are God, family and basketball.

How did you grow up?

Morgan: I grew up in Accra, Osu to be precise. I stay my parent and only one lovely sister and we’re a well-knitted loving family. I went to Ghana international school, that is where I started playing basketball. I was eight years at that time and basketball was introduced to me and I carried on from there.

Tell us about your playing days at Mfantsipim?

Morgan: It was a wonderful experience for me because I was given a lot of playing time, given me a lot of experience in the game. And that’s how people got to name my name and Julian Morgan as a person. I love my teammates because they made me better each and every step of the way. It’s team that we all trusted each other and wanted the best for each other. Thus given us three victories in the national Sprite Ball Championship and four in the Central Region. Our coaching staff was brilliant because they did a lot for us.

Looking back, how do you feel about helping Mfantsipim to win three titles in a row?

Morgan: It was thrilling experience and an exciting journey. It’s not being easy but with the help of God and determined spirit, we were able to overcome all the schools in the Sprite Ball Championship with our school eventually voted the Best High School in 2013.

Who your favourite teammate and why?

Morgan: I don’t have a favourite teammate. We all play like brothers and I respect each and everyone of them.

What is your best ever moment so far in basketball?

Morgan: It’s a pretty difficult question but I believe the 2013 Sprite Ball Championship will pass the mark. Indeed that particular year saw me being adjudged the best player at the School level and that’s the high point of my young career so far. Being the captain and chalking that success was an honour and privilege for me.

What is your favourite food and why?

Morgan: (Laugh). I like many foods but rice and groundnut soup with cow meat will pass for my favourite dish. But hey, I also like French fries with ketchup but the ultimate is ‘fufu’ and light soup.

Who is your role model and why?

Morgan: Without blinking an eye, I will go in for Dwyane Wade. Anyone who knows me knows I like Dwyane. Because he has the same height as me, play somewhat in the same position and he has a great sense of fashion. And looking back at his past and what he has been through, he clearly states that despite the situation you’re n hard work and determination will get you to the top. And when you get there, you have to work hard to maintain it.

Who is your all-time basketball great?

Morgan: No doubt Michael Jordan. He’s been a basketball icon for a long time and someone I have followed way before Dwyane Wade. Even though, I never watched him play, he’s been a great motivation to me because it was not easy for him as well. We share the same initials: MJ

Do you feel nervous before a game?

Morgan: Yes. I always feel butterflies in my stomach but I get rid of them and play good defense, block shots and manage to get some steals. It boosts my confidence and helps me to bring my A-game to bear on the team and bring the beast in me.

What have been some of the challenges that you have gone through so far?

Morgan: When I played for the Ghana Under-18 team, I didn’t get enough playing time because I was suffering from an injury and that’s the only key low point I can count. I really wanted to do my best for my nation but I was knocked down by the setback. But I’m glad am fully fit now and ready to take the world by storm.

What would you describe as the height of your young career in Ghana?

Morgan: It’s a gradual process but on the high school and university level, I can say I’m one of the best players. Of course being voted the MVP at the High School level also comes to mind.

You participated in the maiden edition of the Sprite Ball Clinic featuring Luol Deng and Pops Mensah-Bonsu, how was the feeling like?

Morgan: It was a wonderful experience for me. It was an eye opener and things that happen in basketball on a professional level that we don’t see and sometimes overlook. I was excited to be part of the basketball clinic because it was a learning curve for me. It helped me to develop as a basketball player.

What was your experienced with NBA stars Luol Deng and Pops Mensah-Bonsu?

Morgan: First of all, basketball is all about details and the little things we do in practice have great impact in the game and having them teach about shooting opened my eye that even if you’re 7ft, and you can shoot the basketball, it’s a huge plus for you as a player and it helps you to have many options when playing.

Can you tell us some of the exact drills you were thought by the two? (Luol Deng and Pops Mensah-Bonsu)

Morgan: Bouncing drills as in going through cones and blowing by people in order to do that you need a good first step and reading your opponents’ movement in order to blow by them. Other thing they though us was how to take a defensive stands. In fact they thought as many things that I can say all here.

How disappointed were you that you did not get selected to represent Ghana at the 2013 Basketball Without Borders programme?

Morgan: I was very disappointed because I thought I gave my all. But you know I always look at the bright side of life. I was able to learnt different basketball skills, that’s expanding my basketball knowledge.

How did you react when you heard Chris Bosh was coming to Ghana for the next edition of the Sprite Ball Clinic?

Morgan: I am very excited. How many times do you hear of NBA champion coming to Africa, let alone Ghana? He’s been a prominent player in the NBA, unfortunately the Heat could not win their third successive title but he’s one of the finest players on the planet.

Who do you want to see visit Ghana after Chris and why?

Morgan: Of course, Dwyane Wade. He’s my role model and to meet him in person will give me an extra boost as an up and coming player.

What is your primary target in the game?

Morgan: To reach the highest level of basketball in the world, that’s the NBA and to be one of the great people in that league. So many Africans go into the league and we never hear of them. I don’t want to be one of those players. I want to go and be heard. I believe I represent God, country and family.

Do you think you can play to the NBA level?

Morgan: I believe everything is in the mind. What you tell your mind you can do and have a strategic plan behind it, I believe you can reach higher heights. And with determination, drive, hope and hard work, I believe I will get there. It said in the bible: In His time, he makes all things beautiful.

What is your view on the level of basketball in Ghana?

Morgan: The level of basketball has not been developed at all. We have people like Yaw Sakyi and his Rite Multimedia team who promote the game but we need to have a more structured programme in order to implement the various fundamentals of basketball. But I believe this will take a gradual process and I think we should trust that process.

Is there future for basketball in Ghana?

Morgan: There is a bright future for basketball in Ghana. We have great athletic people who can imbibe the knowledge of basketball in the system and take it to higher heights.

How do you take criticism?

Morgan: Once again, I look at the bright side of everything. I take it to my advantage. I listen to what people say and I don’t get offended. Criticisms are meant to make you a better player and turn around the negative into positives.

Do you have plans of travelling to the United States of America to hone your talent?

Morgan: Yeah I have. When things work out completely, the public will be duly informed.

Finally, any message for your fans both in Ghana and abroad?

Morgan: I need their prayers and so they should keep supporting me.

Thank you for time

Morgan: It’s a pleasure and hopes the next interview we’ll be talking about something more bigger in my career.