Staying home: Radford High's Morton-Robertson commits to Radford University
Quinton Morton-Robertson was Timesland player of the year in 2017 and 2018.
Radford's Quinton Morton-Robertson cuts through the Gate City defense for a layup during their state tournament game in March.
When Quinton Morton-Robertson puts on a college basketball jersey next year, it will have different colors than the black and gold he has worn in high school.
However, the name on the front will still be “Radford.”
The Radford High senior said Monday he will stay in town for his college career as the 5-foot-8 point guard committed to Radford University.
Morton-Robertson, who was named Timesland player of the year in 2017 and 2018, said he picked Radford over an offer from Longwood.
“I made my decision [Sunday],” Morton-Robertson said. “I slept on it. Today, I woke up and still felt like I wanted to go to Radford.”
Morton-Robertson is entering his fourth year as Radford’s starting point guard. He led the Bobcats to VHSL Group 1A state championships as a freshman and a sophomore.
Last year he averaged 21.1 points and 5.1 assists per game as Radford won its first 27 games before falling to eventual state champion Gate City in a Class 2 quarterfinal at RU’s Dedmon Center.
Morton-Robertson is very familiar with RU head coach Mike Jones, who took the Highlanders to a berth in the NCAA Tournament where they defeated LIU-Brooklyn in a play-in game before losing to eventual champ Villanova in the next round.
He and Jones’ son, Miles, are teammates, classmates and best friends.
Morton-Robertson also attended basketball camps at RU when he was younger.
“I see [Coach Jones] probably every day,” he said. “We’re basically family already, outside of basketball. He knows me. It was a pretty easy decision to go there.”
Radford High coach Rick Cormany has long been a fan of Morton-Robertson, who committed just 26 turnovers in 28 games last year while scoring 30 or more points five times.
“I think he made a good decision,” said Cormany, who spent one season as an assistant coach for the Highlanders in the 1980s. “I think it’s a good fit.
“Q doesn’t hang out. He’s a family kid. His grandparents are a big influence in his life. I think he realizes this is a good way for his family to get to a lot of his games. I’m excited. I’m an RU alum myself.”
Morton-Robertson said he believes Radford’s style of play will suit his strengths as a point guard who can score.
“Just the pace that they play,” he said. “I like the offense, the way that it moves.”
The Bobcats star will give away inches to his college competition, but Cormany said he thinks Morton-Robertson can prosper.
“I have never seen him have any trouble with any guard that he’s played against,” Cormany said. “He’s the kind of shooter you can run plays for.”
Morton-Robertson is the third Timesland player of the year to commit to Radford University in recent seasons, following current Highlanders Caleb Tanner (Floyd County) and Devonnte Holland (Martinsville).
The Radford High senior said he will show up on campus eager to prove a point to the programs that did not offer him a scholarship.
“For sure,” Morton-Robertson said. “I’ll play with a chip on my shoulder and play hard every day.”
Quinton Morton-Robertson was Timesland player of the year in 2017 and 2018.
Radford's Quinton Morton-Robertson cuts through the Gate City defense for a layup during their state tournament game in March.
When Quinton Morton-Robertson puts on a college basketball jersey next year, it will have different colors than the black and gold he has worn in high school.
However, the name on the front will still be “Radford.”
The Radford High senior said Monday he will stay in town for his college career as the 5-foot-8 point guard committed to Radford University.
Morton-Robertson, who was named Timesland player of the year in 2017 and 2018, said he picked Radford over an offer from Longwood.
“I made my decision [Sunday],” Morton-Robertson said. “I slept on it. Today, I woke up and still felt like I wanted to go to Radford.”
Morton-Robertson is entering his fourth year as Radford’s starting point guard. He led the Bobcats to VHSL Group 1A state championships as a freshman and a sophomore.
Last year he averaged 21.1 points and 5.1 assists per game as Radford won its first 27 games before falling to eventual state champion Gate City in a Class 2 quarterfinal at RU’s Dedmon Center.
Morton-Robertson is very familiar with RU head coach Mike Jones, who took the Highlanders to a berth in the NCAA Tournament where they defeated LIU-Brooklyn in a play-in game before losing to eventual champ Villanova in the next round.
He and Jones’ son, Miles, are teammates, classmates and best friends.
Morton-Robertson also attended basketball camps at RU when he was younger.
“I see [Coach Jones] probably every day,” he said. “We’re basically family already, outside of basketball. He knows me. It was a pretty easy decision to go there.”
Radford High coach Rick Cormany has long been a fan of Morton-Robertson, who committed just 26 turnovers in 28 games last year while scoring 30 or more points five times.
“I think he made a good decision,” said Cormany, who spent one season as an assistant coach for the Highlanders in the 1980s. “I think it’s a good fit.
“Q doesn’t hang out. He’s a family kid. His grandparents are a big influence in his life. I think he realizes this is a good way for his family to get to a lot of his games. I’m excited. I’m an RU alum myself.”
Morton-Robertson said he believes Radford’s style of play will suit his strengths as a point guard who can score.
“Just the pace that they play,” he said. “I like the offense, the way that it moves.”
The Bobcats star will give away inches to his college competition, but Cormany said he thinks Morton-Robertson can prosper.
“I have never seen him have any trouble with any guard that he’s played against,” Cormany said. “He’s the kind of shooter you can run plays for.”
Morton-Robertson is the third Timesland player of the year to commit to Radford University in recent seasons, following current Highlanders Caleb Tanner (Floyd County) and Devonnte Holland (Martinsville).
The Radford High senior said he will show up on campus eager to prove a point to the programs that did not offer him a scholarship.
“For sure,” Morton-Robertson said. “I’ll play with a chip on my shoulder and play hard every day.”
