Marlon Morton, who was an assistant coach at highly successful Westchester High School for the past decade and a popular figure in Los Angeles youth basketball for even longer, is now in his third season on the Cal State Fullerton coaching staff.

Morton, 46, was instrumental in Westchester winning five city championships, three state championships and one mythical national title in recent years. He also has been active in numerous camps and summer development leagues and has seen more than 50 of his former players move on to Div. I programs including Titans Bobby Brown, Scott Cutley and Jarrel Lake.

"I was excited to come and coach at Cal State Fullerton," said Morton, who got his bachelor's degree in 2004 in human services from Springfield College of Massachusetts, which has an Inglewood campus. "I've got ties with some players and I'm looking forward to bringing more good student-athletes here. I want to keep the Los Angeles-area kids playing locally."

Morton's impact has been quick and significant. Already, two former L.A. stars have returned "home" in 4-year transfers Cutley (Westchester HS and Kent State) and Ray Reed (Inglewood HS and Georgetown), who had to sit out last season.

Morton worked for American Airlines at Los Angeles International Airport for 16 years in ramp service. He began at Westchester in 1995 as the head freshman, sophomore and junior varsity coach and moved up to work with the varsity in 1999. He was featured along with Hassan Adams, of Westchester High and University of Arizona fame, in a 6-part documentary on ESPN called "L.A. Hoops." Among his basketball acquaintances are Byron Scott, James Worthy, Magic Johnson and Quentin Richardson. He also has worked for the Michael Jordan Camp in Santa Barbara.

A graduate of Washington High School in Los Angeles and Los Angeles Southwest College, Morton once tried out for the Harlem Globetrotters. For many years in youth leagues, he coached former Titan guard Rodney Anderson, a Washington High product who was shot and paralyzed in a random street shooting six years ago. Morton lives in Los Angeles.