"Former Michigan standout Darius Morris attended the NBA draft in New Jersey on Thursday, as he expected to be selected in the first round.

His wait was long, as he was passed over and not selected in the first round. But Morris was finally rewarded, getting selected by the Los Angeles Lakers in the second round with the 41st pick of the draft.

Morris is from Los Angeles.

Morris was one of four local college players eligible to be drafted, along with Oakland center Keith Benson, and Michigan State guards Kalin Lucas and Durrell Summers.

Benson, a mid- to late-second round projection, went to the Atlanta Hawks in Round 2 with the 48th overall pick. The 6-foot-11 center who attended Detroit Country Day is the first player from Oakland ever selected in the NBA draft.

Lucas and Summers were not expected to be selected in the second round, but could sign with teams as undrafted free agents.

Morris, a 6-foot-5 point guard, left Michigan after his sophomore season, when he led the Wolverines in scoring (15 points) and the Big Ten in assists (6.7). He helped Michigan to a surprising 21-14 record and a victory in the NCAA Tournament. "