Randolph Morris prides himself on being a student of the game of basketball, both on and off the court.

That studious approach came in handy for the former Landmark Christian honor student this summer as he explored his free-agent options.

The Hawks' frontcourt depth being thin, Morris made a decision to pursue the Hawks. He ultimately landed a two-year deal with his hometown team, after an impressive performance during the team's minicamp three weeks ago.

A fresh start for Morris is also a boon for the Hawks, a team that played with a frontcourt rotation of just Josh Smith, Al Horford, Zaza Pachulia and Solomon Jones at the end of last season.

"So few people get those second opportunities," Morris said Friday. "I'm happy they extended the offer to me so I could start over, so to speak. I didn't get a chance to play as much as I wanted to in New York. So I'm just starting over and trying to rewrite things for myself."

Morris finished each of the past two seasons with the Knicks, though he played sparingly behind a overstuffed frontcourt group headlined by Zach Randolph and Eddy Curry.

"In New York I was sort of lost in the sauce, per say," Morris said. "It was my first year and we had people that were already experienced in the grind of the NBA and it was hard for me. The opportunities were few and far between. But now I'm working from ground zero with a chance to work my way up."

The Hawks needed someone like Morris, a 6-foot-11, 270-pound center/power forward who immediately challenges Pachulia for the title as the team's largest player.

They just had no idea they'd be the hunted and not the hunter, an interesting about face from the usual dynamics of free agency.

After all, it was Morris that made the first move, contacting the Hawks about the possibility of joining them. And it was Morris that suggested he take part in the minicamp so the team could get a better look at him.

"That opportunity to look at him and analyze that he has an upside and some depth and that he's young probably sealed the deal," Hawks general manager Rick Sund said Friday morning after presenting Morris with his No. 33 jersey. "He was already on our board but he sought us out initially. But that's basically how all of this materialized."

Where it goes from here is up to Morris. And he knows it, especially after the humbling start to his NBA career — he's averaged 2.6 points and 2.0 rebounds in just 23 career appearances — in a city and NBA market that feasts on the weak.

"I think living back here in Atlanta is going to be a much better fit for me," Morris said, before adding that his phone hasn't stopped ringing with calls from family and friends congratulating him and wishing him well. "It's exciting, the newness of me coming back home. Everybody's thrilled. But I'm trying to make it a positive experience for everybody."