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Teige Morrell

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Teige Morrell
No. 3 – Perth Lynx
PositionPower forward / Center
LeagueWNBL
Personal information
Born (1995-12-08) December 8, 1995 (age 29)
Dubai, UAE
NationalityAmerican
Listed height6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Career information
High schoolLos Lunas
(Los Lunas, New Mexico)
CollegeNevada (2014–2018)
WNBA draft2018: undrafted
Playing career2019–present
Career history
2019Woodville Warriors
2019–2020Bendigo Spirit
2021Southern Tigers
2022–2023Joondalup Wolves
2023–presentPerth Lynx
2024Lakeside Lightning
Career highlights and awards

Teige Morrell (née Zeller; born December 8, 1995) is an American professional basketball player for the Perth Lynx of the Women's National Basketball League (WNBL). She played college basketball for the Nevada Wolf Pack before playing professionally in Australia. She won the NBL1 Central MVP in 2019 with the Woodville Warriors and then spent a season with the Bendigo Spirit in the WNBL. In 2021, she helped the Southern Tigers win the NBL1 Central championship behind another MVP season. She joined the Joondalup Wolves in 2022 and earned All-NBL1 West First Team honors in 2022 and 2023. After a season with the Perth Lynx in the WNBL, she joined the Lakeside Lightning in 2024 and earned NBL1 West MVP.

Morrell became an Australian permanent resident in 2024.

Early life

[edit]

Morrell was born in Dubai, United Arab Emirates,[1] to an American father, Marty, and a Zimbabwean mother, Gael.[2] She was the couple's third child; her two older brothers, Roman and Weston, were born in Australia and Cyprus respectively.[2] Her parents met in Perth, Western Australia,[3] and had been globetrotters while her father played or coached basketball in Europe, Australia and the Middle East. The family moved to the United States in 1999 and settled down in New Mexico, where her younger brother Zanen was born.[2]

Morrell attended Los Lunas High School in Los Lunas, New Mexico. Between 2010 and 2014, she played for the girls basketball team coached by her father. She was a two-time All-Metro Player of the Year, two-time Defensive Player of the Year, two-time state basketball tournament MVP, two-time District 6 AAAA Player of the Year, and three-time first-team All-State. The team won a district and state championship in her junior year in 2012–13 and a district title in her senior year in 2013–14.[4] In high school, she also competed in cross country, tennis, volleyball, and track.[4]

College career

[edit]

As a freshman at Nevada in 2014–15, Morrell appeared in 29 games with two starts, averaging 2.6 points and 2.8 rebounds in 10.0 minutes per game.[4] She had a season-high eight rebounds against Utah State on February 11, and a season-high nine points against New Mexico on February 14.[4]

As a sophomore in 2015–16, Morrell appeared in all 30 games with 21 starts, averaging 7.3 points and 5.9 rebounds in 24.0 minutes per game.[4] She scored in double figures in nine games and posted two double-doubles, including 11 points and a season-high 18 rebounds against San Jose State on February 17, and a season-high 17 points and 13 rebounds against Boise State on March 1.[4]

As a junior in 2016–17, Morrell appeared in all 30 games with 18 starts, averaging 5.6 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 19.7 minutes per game.[4] She had a season-high 16 rebounds in a triple-overtime win over Hawaii on December 18, and a season-high 14 points against San Diego State on February 12.[5]

As a senior in 2017–18, Morrell played and started in all 36 games, averaging 14.2 points, 8.6 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 28.2 minutes per game.[4] She scored in double figures in 31 games and recorded a career-high 12 double-doubles and six 20-point games, which included career highs of 24 points and 19 rebounds against Stanislaus State on December 12.[4] She was subsequently named to the All-Mountain West Team.[6][7] She helped the Wolf Pack reach the final of the 2018 Mountain West tournament, where they lost 62–60 to Boise State despite 14 points from Morrell.[8] She was subsequently named to the all-tournament team.[9]

In each of her first three seasons, Morrell earned Mountain West Scholar-Athlete honors and was named to the All-Mountain West academic team.[4]

Following her senior season, Morrell toured internationally with Athletes in Action.[10]

Professional career

[edit]

Morrell moved to Australia in 2019 to play for the Woodville Warriors of the South Australian Premier League.[11] She was named league MVP and All-Star Five after averaging 22 points and 13 rebounds per game.[12][13]

On October 18, 2019, Morrell signed with the Bendigo Spirit of the Women's National Basketball League (WNBL) as a short-term injury replacement for Rebecca Tobin.[14] She played three games in her first stint.[15] She re-joined the Spirit in January 2020 as an injury replacement for Marté Grays[16][17][18] and played five more games to finish the 2019–20 WNBL season.[15] In eight games, she averaged 1.8 points and 2.8 rebounds per game.[19]

Morrell was set to return to South Australia to play for the Southern Tigers in the rebranded NBL1 Central in the 2020 season,[20] but the season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[21][22]

Morrell made her debut for the Southern Tigers in the 2021 NBL1 season. She was named NBL1 Central MVP and All-Star Five after averaging 23.1 points and 12.4 rebounds per game.[23][24] She helped the Tigers reach the NBL1 Central grand final, where they defeated the North Adelaide Rockets 87–77 to win the championship. Morrell was named grand final MVP after recording 27 points and 16 rebounds.[25]

On October 4, 2021, Morrell signed a two-year deal with the Joondalup Wolves of the NBL1 West.[26][27] In the 2022 season, she was named to the All-NBL1 West First Team.[28] In 22 games, she averaged 21.64 points, 11.18 rebounds, 3.55 assists and 1.32 steals per game.[29]

With the Wolves in 2023, Morrell was named to the All-NBL1 West First Team for the second straight year.[30] In 22 games, she averaged 22.0 points, 12.23 rebounds, 3.05 assists, 1.18 steals and 1.41 blocks per game.[31]

Morrell joined the Perth Lynx as a development player for the 2023–24 WNBL season.[32][33] She was elevated to the Lynx playing squad in late December 2023 following an injury to import guard Aari McDonald.[34] In her debut for the Lynx on January 3, 2024, she had seven points and four rebounds in 12 minutes off the bench in a 104–91 loss to the Townsville Fire.[35][36] On January 24, she had 14 points and 10 rebounds in a 90–76 loss to the Melbourne Boomers.[37][38] The Lynx made the WNBL grand final series in 2023–24, where they lost to the Southside Flyers.[39] In seven games, she averaged 4.9 points and 3.0 rebounds per game.[40][41]

Morrell joined the Lakeside Lightning for the 2024 NBL1 West season.[42] In her debut for the Lightning on March 28, 2024, she had 27 points and 31 rebounds in an 80–71 overtime win over the Willetton Tigers.[43][44] She was named NBL1 West Most Valuable Player[45][46] alongside All-NBL1 West First Team[47][48] and NBL1 West All-Defensive Team.[49] She became the first player in NBL1 history to win the respective MVP awards across two conferences.[50] She helped the Lightning reach the preliminary final, where they lost 92–86 in overtime to the Rockingham Flames despite Morrell's 20 points, 22 rebounds and nine assists.[51][52] In 23 games, she averaged 21.39 points, 14.48 rebounds, 3.39 assists, 1.17 steals and 1.13 blocks per game.[53]

On July 28, 2024, Morrell re-signed with the Lynx as a fully contracted player for the 2024–25 WNBL season.[54][55] Having obtained Australian permanent residency, she joined the roster as an unrestricted player.[56]

Career statistics

[edit]
Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game  RPG  Rebounds per game
 APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game  BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game
 TO  Turnovers per game  FG%  Field-goal percentage  3P%  3-point field-goal percentage  FT%  Free-throw percentage
 Bold  Career best ° League leader

College

[edit]
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG TO PPG
2014–15 Nevada 29 2 10.1 38.0 50.0 68.4 2.8 0.4 0.2 0.5 0.8 2.6
2015–16 Nevada 30 21 24.0 46.3 0.0 72.9 5.9 0.8 0.8 0.8 1.4 7.3
2016–17 Nevada 29 17 19.8 42.5 0.0 69.6 5.6 1.4 0.6 0.6 1.9 5.8
2017–18 Nevada 36 36 28.2 51.4 0.0 78.0 8.6 1.3 0.6 0.5 1.9 14.2
Career 124 76 21.0 47.3 33.3 74.2 5.9 1.0 0.6 0.6 1.5 7.8
Statistics retrieved from Sports-Reference.[57]

Personal life

[edit]

Morrell's father, Marty, played basketball at New Mexico Military Institute (NMMI) and Baylor University[4] before becoming a professional basketball coach.[58] He had a successful high school coaching career in the 2010s.[59][60] He returned to Australia in 2024 to coach the Lakeside Lightning women's team in the NBL1 West.[61][62][63]

Her brother, Weston, also played basketball at NMMI.[4]

Her husband, David Morrell, is an American basketball coach who also attended the University of Nevada.[11] He accompanied Teige to Australia in 2019 and coached at the same clubs as her until 2023.[3][12][64][65][66]

In 2023, Morrell applied to become an Australian permanent resident, but delays with her government paperwork meant she was classified as an import for the 2023–24 WNBL season.[34][67] She gained permanent residency in April 2024.[56]

She is a Christian.[58]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Meet the Pack: Teige Zeller". nevadawolfpack.com. November 7, 2014. Archived from the original on July 1, 2023.
  2. ^ a b c Murray, Chris (January 11, 2018). "Dubai born, New Mexico raised, Teige Zeller has blossomed at Nevada". Reno Gazette-Journal. Archived from the original on July 1, 2023.
  3. ^ a b Montesano, Julia (May 27, 2021). ""Full-time basketball" for determined Morrells". NBL1.com.au. Archived from the original on July 1, 2023.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Teige Zeller". nevadawolfpack.com. Archived from the original on July 1, 2023.
  5. ^ "Teige Zeller Game Log 2016–17". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on July 1, 2023.
  6. ^ "Mountain West Announces 2017-18 Women's Basketball All-Conference Team". themw.com. March 5, 2018. Archived from the original on July 1, 2023.
  7. ^ "Zeller named to All-Mountain West team". nevadawolfpack.com. March 5, 2018. Archived from the original on July 1, 2023.
  8. ^ "Coleman's buzzer beater hands Mountain West title to Boise". ESPN.com. March 9, 2018. Archived from the original on July 1, 2023.
  9. ^ Anderson, Mark (March 9, 2018). "Boise State women defeat UNR for Mountain West title". reviewjournal.com. Archived from the original on July 1, 2023.
  10. ^ "Zeller selected as a MW nominee for NCAA Woman of the Year". nevadawolfpack.com. August 16, 2018. Archived from the original on July 1, 2023.
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  13. ^ "The 2019 Premier League Halls Woollacott Awards". Premier League. July 25, 2019. Archived from the original on July 1, 2023.
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  39. ^ "LYNX FALL IN GAME 3 BUT PLENTY TO BE PROUD OF". wnbl.basketball/perth. March 17, 2024. Archived from the original on March 17, 2024.
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  41. ^ "Teige Morrell Game Log". wnbl.basketball. Archived from the original on March 28, 2024.
  42. ^ "LAKESIDE LIGHTNING | TEIGE MORRELL". facebook.com/LakesideRecreationCentre. December 11, 2023. Retrieved December 11, 2023.
  43. ^ "Willetton vs Lakeside". NBL1.com.au. March 28, 2024. Archived from the original on March 28, 2024.
  44. ^ "Recap NBL1 West | Round 1 Thursday". NBL1.com.au. March 28, 2024. Archived from the original on March 29, 2024.
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  46. ^ Pike, Chris (July 21, 2024). "NBL1 West Awards Recap 2024". NBL1.com.au. Archived from the original on July 22, 2024.
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  51. ^ Pike, Chris (August 4, 2024). "Recap NBL1 West | Preliminary Finals Saturday". NBL1.com.au. Archived from the original on August 4, 2024.
  52. ^ Badkin, Liam (August 9, 2024). "Morrell's mighty performance not enough for Lightning". central.rookieme.com. Archived from the original on August 9, 2024.
  53. ^ "Teige Morrell". NBL1.com.au. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
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  56. ^ a b O'Donoghue, Craig (July 28, 2024). "Teige Morrell signs with Perth Lynx as a local WNBL player after gaining permanent residency". The West Australian. Archived from the original on July 28, 2024.
  57. ^ "Teige Zeller College Stats". Sports-Reference. Retrieved July 7, 2024.
  58. ^ a b Lee, Emanuel (January 10, 2013). "Teige Zeller uses faith, determination to power Los Lunas girls basketball". maxpreps.com. Archived from the original on July 1, 2023.
  59. ^ Chester, Jared (May 20, 2023). "Zeller named Girls' Basketball coach at Valencia". krqe.com. Archived from the original on December 7, 2023.
  60. ^ Powers, Mike (May 25, 2023). "Marty Zeller named Valencia High School girls' hoop coach". news-bulletin.com. Archived from the original on December 7, 2023.
  61. ^ Yodice, James (October 24, 2023). "Valencia girls basketball coach resigns before taking the court". abqjournal.com. Archived from the original on December 7, 2023.
  62. ^ Powers, Mike (October 26, 2023). "Marty Zeller leaving VHS for Australia; replacement hired". news-bulletin.com. Archived from the original on December 7, 2023.
  63. ^ "NBL1 Women's Head Coach". Lakeside.asn.au. December 7, 2023. Archived from the original on December 7, 2023.
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  66. ^ "NBL1 MEN'S HEAD COACH DAVID MORRELL IS BACK AT THE HELM FOR 2024 & 2025". Wanneroo Basketball Association. December 1, 2023. Archived from the original on December 7, 2023.
  67. ^ O'Donoghue, Craig (January 6, 2024). "Perth Lynx forward Teige Morell close to permanent residency after being picked as WNBL injury replacement". The West Australian. Archived from the original on January 6, 2024.
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