Northridge’s Morris to Return but Camper Is Incommunicado

Cal State Northridge guard James Morris is expected to play in the Matadors’ next game, Jan. 25 at Alabama-Birmingham, Coach Pete Cassidy said Thursday.

Morris was injured when he landed hard on his back during Sunday’s 78-65 loss at Wisconsin-Milwaukee. He missed Northridge’s game at Boise State two days later.

X-rays taken Wednesday showed that Morris’ spine had not sustained damage, Cassidy said. However, the 5-foot-8 junior from Tallulah, La., still is experiencing muscle spasms in the upper portion of his back.

“Knowing James, he’ll be ready for Monday,” Cassidy said.

Morris is second on the team with a 10.9 scoring average and is tied for the team lead in steals with 29.

In another development, Cassidy said that he does not expect Victor Camper, a 6-9 recruit from Long Beach, to join the team this season.

Camper needed to complete a junior college math course to earn an Associate in Arts degree and gain eligibility to play for Northridge this season.

He reportedly took a math final more than two weeks ago, but since then Cassidy said he had not seen “hide nor hair” of Camper despite repeated efforts to reach him by telephone.