Former Jacksonville basketball standout Morgan dies at 67

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) - Former Jacksonville University basketball standout Rex Morgan, a two-year starter who helped the Dolphins reach the 1970 national championship game, died early Friday. He was 67.

Jacksonville announced that Morgan, a Charleston, Illinois, native, had died after university officials were notified by family members. Morgan battled throat cancer for six years after being diagnosed with Stage 3 cancer in 2010.

After leading Jacksonville in scoring as a junior, Morgan helped the Dolphins to a 27-2 record in 1969-70 and the title game against John Wooden's UCLA Bruins. In five NCAA Tournament games that year, Morgan averaged 20.4 points.

Morgan was a second-round draft pick by Boston in 1970. He spent two seasons with the Celtics.

Morgan is survived by his wife, Kathleen; son, Taylor; and daughter, Lyndsay.