Player Portrait: Morrison A Promising Tidewater Talent

Hampton, Va. — Each year, a large number of prospects from the state of Virginia commit to NCAA Division I programs, and one of the young players hoping to be among the next group to do that from the Class of 2026 class is Callen Morrison.

Morrison is a two-sport star, excelling in both football and basketball, currently suiting up with the Boo Williams (BWSL) Dreamchasers program. An advanced athlete with a strong frame, Morrison has quickly established himself as one of the Tidewater region’s most productive young guards.

Ray Taylor, currently serving as head coach for the upcoming BWSL Dreamchasers seventh-grade team, recently spoke with PrepHoopsNext.com about what Morrison brings to the court as well as the improvements that he has seen from his talented backcourt prospect in recent seasons.

“When Callen first came to us he was more of a pass-first guard,” Taylor stated. “He has continued working on his game since he has been with us, and I think he has improved getting downhill and as a finisher at the basket. He has always been a good shooter and we’ve encouraged him to score the basketball even more for our team. Callen is a true combo guard.”

Taylor has made an effort to put each of his players in a position to be successful, and despite having a team absent of elite size, every player on the roster has bought into their role. Perhaps none more than Morrison, who willingly takes on difficult defensive match-ups, while also being asked to carry a heavy load on the offensive end of the floor.

“Callen is by far our hardest working player. He never loses a sprint in practice,” said Taylor. “It is that type of stuff that separates him during the games as well. Callen is very competitive; every time he is on the floor, he wants to win. He is a very coachable kid and that makes my job easier.”

It was clear in talking to Coach Taylor that Morrison’s overall productivity is among the best on the team. And while Morrison’s raw talents certainly make his coach’s job easier, the BWSL Dreamchasers style of play also accommodates their most productive player quite nicely.

“We try to play positionless basketball,” Taylor commented. “That is the way that the [game] is going now, so our sets don’t predetermine who scores the ball. We make an effort to take advantage the opportunities that are available. We want matchups to be in our favor, and to be honest with you, Callen almost always has a mismatch when he is on the court. We want the ball in his hands in most situations because we feel that he will have an advantage over whoever is guarding him.” 

Morrison has certainly earned the trust of his coaches and teammates by consistently producing against many of the top teams and players in the country on the youth level. However, the next few years will be critical in terms of assessing how Morrison’s game will translate to the high school level, and potentially beyond. Coach Taylor believes that Morrison’s approach and work ethic will continue to set him apart but noted that his athletic gifts also help make him special among his peer group.

“Callen is only about 5-foot-6 or so, I’d say, but he is already grabbing the rim. He’s so athletic, so explosive,” shared Taylor. “In the next year or so, I think he will be dunking the basketball. I noticed his explosiveness from day one. It’s a gift and it is hard for [defenders] to stop him. He is so strong and explosive for his age.”

Despite the current youth hoops climate being impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, Taylor said that his BWSL Dreamchasers seventh-grade team will maintain a fairly active schedule. Look for this squad to play in competitive events up and down the East Coast in the Class of 2026. As for Morrison, he could very likely be one of the next standout guards in Virginia’s 757 territory who will soon make an immediate impact at the high school level.

Stay tuned for more from Prep Hoops Next!