If, as noted philosopher Yogi Berra once noted, you can observe a lot by just watching, then Randolph Morris observed a whole new basketball world in just a few weeks last spring.

The 6-foot-11 Morris made the unprecedented jump from college to pro ball during a whirlwind week last year. Immediately after he completed his junior season at the University of Kentucky, a little-known technicality enabled him to become a free agent and sign a pro contract with the Knicks. Just 10 days after his last college contest, he got into an NBA boxscore with seven scoreless minutes against Cleveland on March 28.

"My parents were in contact with some teams, and that led me to come to where I am now, in the NBA," said Morris, 21, just before the Knicks began play in the NBA Summer League, presented by adidas, on Monday night. "The Knicks were the most interested in me as a player, so with that said, I got a contract inked out and flew to New York in a matter of days, and the rest is history."

Morris' NBA story actually began two years ago. Following his freshman year at Kentucky, he declared himself eligible for the 2005 NBA Draft, but went undrafted. The fact that he did not sign with an agent enabled him -- and the Knicks -- to take advantage of a provision in the NBA's Collective Bargaining Agreement that granted Morris free agent status during the 2006-07 season.

Two years ago, the entire NBA passed on him. Rather than bemoan his fate, Morris matured as a player -- he averaged career highs of 16.1 points and 7.8 rebounds last year for the Wildcats -- and now has a chance to earn a spot on the pro game's biggest stage.

"I would say there was no discouragement at all, no vindication either," he says. "The biggest thing for me was staying hungry and showing people what I could do. There was no vindication in my thoughts. I was just saying, 'I knew I was this good, I knew I deserved a shot,' and it would come sooner or later."

As a Knick, Morris watched more than he played, logging 44 total minutes over five games in the season's last four weeks. From his observation point, the differences in his two hoop worlds were quickly evident.

"‘It was pretty much a jolt because the game is so much different," says Morris of his in-a-week transition. "I didn't know anything, and the plays were a little bit sketchy to me. Isiah (Thomas) did a great job ushering me in and making me feel comfortable."

"The difference in the tempo from college to pro is a lot faster. A lot of quick sets because there's a shorter shot clock. But pretty much, if you can play in the college game, you can perform in the NBA as well."

Amid the quickest of transitions, he also found a welcoming environment and a locker room-full of helpful teammates.

"More than anybody, I would have to say Malik Rose," said Randolph when asked about the players who had helped him adjust to his new surroundings. "He did an amazing job in making me feel comfortable, because I didn't know anybody on the team. He was just a standup veteran, and that's what they're supposed to do."

"I come from Kentucky and that's a great basketball environment as well. But it's a little bit different in New York. In New York, the fans will let you know when you're doing things you shouldn't be doing."

A 58-percent shooter in college, Morris went 5-for-7 from the field in his Summer League debut on Monday, notching a double-double with 10 points and a game-high 10 rebounds as the Knicks defeated Seattle 87-74 in their Vegas opener. With the advantage of being a Knick from Day One of Summer this year, the personable Randolph plans to do a lot more playing -- at the expense of mere watching -- over the next week.

"Just trying to contribute to the team and to my development as a player in the NBA ranks," he said prior to the Summer opener. "Just to have a positive experience out here with the team."

MONDAY'S GAME: Playing in Las Vegas for the third straight summer, Nate Robinson scored a game-high 19 points, including 12 in the second half, as the Knicks won their Summer League opener, 87-74 over Seattle at Cox Pavilion on Monday night.

In addition to Morris' double-double, Draft Night acquisition Demetris Nichols had 13 points, while Colorado State's Brian Greene, who played in France last year, added 14 points off the bench for the Knicks. New York used a 15-3 second quarter run to take a 51-35 halftime lead, and led by double figures the rest of the way. The Knicks held Seattle to just .377 shooting (23-61 FGA), limiting second overall Draft pick Kevin Durant to 4-for-19 from the field (18 points).

On Tuesday, the Knicks face the Chinese National Team -- with Milwaukee Buck draftee Yi Jianlian -- at 10 p.m. ET, with coverage on NBA TV.