Transfers

Baylor Adds Michigan Transfer Ekpe Udoh

Press Release — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 18:41:31 -0700

WACO, Texas — Baylor head men’s basketball coach Scott Drew announced Thursday the addition of former University of Michigan forward Ekpe Udoh to the Bears program.

The 6-10 forward will sit out the 2008-09 to satisfy the NCAA’s transfer policy and will retain two seasons of eligibility.

A native of Edmond, Okla., Udoh played two seasons for the Wolverines and averaged 5.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.4 blocks in 67 career games (31 starts). He led the Big Ten with 92 blocks as a sophomore in 2007-08 and was named to the Big Ten All-Defensive Team.

“Ekpe has a personality that makes him a perfect fit for Baylor basketball,” Drew said. “He’ll be a great representative of our program. His accolades speak for themselves; he led the Big Ten in blocks and was on the league’s all-defensive team. Baylor fans will enjoy watching him play.”

Udoh’s 92 blocks set a new Michigan sophomore blocks record (second-highest total in school history), surpassing the previous record of 91 set by Chris Webber in 1992-93. Udoh’s 159 career blocks rank fifth all-time on U-M’s all-time blocks list.

The Wolverine’s “sixth-man” as a freshman in 2006-07 before entering the starting lineup nine games into his sophomore season, Udoh played in all 67 games during the 2006-07 and 2007-08 seasons.

Udoh, who prepped at Santa Fe High School in Edmond, was born in Oklahoma but is of Nigerian descent. His full given name is Ekpedeme, which translates to “Lion.”

Baylor is coming off its most successful season in decades and will suit up an experienced squad in 2008-09. The Bears, who finished fourth in the Big 12 Conference and played in their first NCAA Tournament in 20 years last season, return eight of their top nine players and their top five scorers.

SIU Officially Adds Former Iowa G Tony Freeman

Press Release — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 09:32:17 -0700

CARBONDALE, Ill. - Former Iowa guard Tony Freeman has transferred to Southern Illinois, Saluki men's basketball coach Chris Lowery announced Monday.

As a junior last season, Freeman was the Hawkeyes' leading scorer and was a Third-Team All-Big Ten pick by league coaches. Although Freeman missed the first 10 games of the campaign due to a stress fracture, he returned to play in 22 games and averaged 13.8 points per game, while making 38.3 percent of his 3-point shots. He averaged 35 minutes per contest for the 13-19 Hawkeyes, who finished eighth in the Big Ten.

"Tony brings maturity and toughness, which have been so consistent in our guard play in the past," Lowery said. "We've got to get our practices back to where they are really competitive, and he'll help us do that."

NCAA transfer rules require the 6-foot-1 native of Maywood, Ill. to sit out the 2008-09 season. He has one year of eligibility remaining.

Derrick Jasper Leaving Kentucky

Press Release — Sat, 31 May 2008 19:50:48 -0700

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Kentucky basketball player Derrick Jasper, a 6-6 native of Paso Robles, Calif, who has played two seasons in Lexington, has asked for his release from the Wildcats, citing a desire to play closer to home as the reason for his decision

“The decision to transfer is in no way an indication of my experience playing for UK,” Jasper said. “I feel at this point in my life, it is important for me to be close to my family, and I intend to transfer to a school closer to the west coast where I can see my family more often, and they can see me play.

“It was not an easy decision for me to make, since the fans have been so wonderful and very supportive of my teammates and me. I want to thank Coach Gillispie and the entire UK coaching staff for their guidance and support they have given me these past two years. I have grown a tremendous amount as a basketball player, and most importantly a person and feel it is largely due to the people involved with the UK basketball program.”

Jasper played in 20 games for the Wildcats this season after missing the first 10 games of the year while recovering from microfracture knee surgery. He averaged 4.2 ppg and 5.5 rpg.

“It’s a disappointment to lose Derrick, who was fantastic for us both as a person and a basketball player,” UK Head Coach Billy Gillispie said. “He had to battle through some injuries, but he was always willing to sacrifice for the good of the team.

“I appreciate that Derrick was patient and took his time to make certain that this decision was what he felt was best for his future. We wish him all the best. Where ever he decides to attend will be getting an outstanding player who takes his academics very seriously.”

As a freshman, Jasper started 27 games while averaging 3.9 ppg and 3.6 rpg.

-- from UKAthletics.com -

LBSU Signs Former Providence G Dwain Williams

Press Release — Sat, 24 May 2008 08:53:42 -0700

Long Beach, Calif.--Long Beach State Head Men’s Basketball Coach Dan Monson announced today that Dwain Williams (Guard, 6-0, 170, San Diego, Calif., Providence College, Vista Murrieta HS) signed a National Letter-of-Intent. Williams, who attended Providence College for two years, will have two years of eligibility remaining with the 49ers.

“Dwain Williams is a great addition to our program,” said Monson. “His success in the Big East Conference demonstrates that he is a proven high-level point guard that will help solidify our backcourt.”

“I felt that Long Beach was the best place to go in that league,” said Williams. “It’s close to my mother and I have a single parent, raising five kids on her own. To come back home and be near my family and help put Long Beach on the map were the main reasons I chose Long Beach State. Coach Monson and the coaching staff are a good group of guys and good recruiters. They told me I’ll have an opportunity to come in and be a leader on the team and bring my “A” game every night and to practice every day and bring leadership. They were really real. Everything was up front. They are a good group of guys and my mom loved them.”

Williams lettered two years at Providence College. This past season he averaged 11.0 points per game, third-best on the Friar squad, while adding 2.3 assists per game. He shot an impressive .902 (46-51) at the free throw line and .407 (48-118) from three-point range. In Big?East Conference games he averaged 13.0 points and 2.1 assists per game. Williams appeared in 21 games, starting 17 times. He scored in double figures 10 times, including a career-high 23 points at Connecticut (1/17/08). He also had 21 points at Syracuse, and 20 points against both Notre Dame and DePaul.

Lots of changes at Marist...and some other Northeast news

Raphielle Johnson — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 09:41:33 -0700

Well, today marks the beginning of the Spring Signing Period, and many fans are awaiting the decision of guard Tyreke Evans. The explosive prerimeter player is said to be leaning in the direction of Memphis, and that's who I'd expect him to sign with due to the departure of Derrick Rose. But the school with the most going on in recent days has to be Marist, who will any day be gaining a head coach, but they've already lost two players. - Memphis assistant Jose "Chucky" Martin to be named Marist head coach. Many services have reported that the official announcement is coming any day now. Martin, a native of New York City, has many ties to the area due to both his playing at St. Raymond's in the Bronx and assistant stints at Manhattan and St. John's. That's the good news for fans of the Red Foxes, who head into this critical portion of the offseason with a head coach in place. As for the bad... - Guard Jay Gavin is transferring to VCU. According to Phil Strum of the Poughkeepsie Journal, star freshman guard Jay Gavin will be leaving Marist at the end of the semester to attend Virginia Commonwealth. He'll have to sit out next season due to NCAA transfer rules, but with the coaching change the people most instrumental in getting him to Marist are now gone (the entire coaching staff went with Matt Brady to James Madison). And speaking of James Madison, former Marist verbal commitment Andrey Semenov will follow Brady and his staff to JMU. Coach Martin will have a lot of work to do in regards to filling out his roster for the upcoming season. - G Doug Wiggins has asked to be released from his scholarship in order to transfer. A couple of weeks ago head coach Jim Calhoun talked about some imminent changes that would be coming this offseason for his program. One domino has fallen apparently, that being East Hartford native Doug Wiggins. Some moves were expected in regards to playing time/off-court issues, and Wiggins certainly had to deal with the latter during his two years in Storrs. But the main thing for Wiggins is to find a place in which he'll see a lot of playing time over his final two seasons. - "Christmas in April" for Rutgers? Maybe. Reported on Monday by Stacey Davis of NYCHoops.net, there is the possibility of St. Benedict's Prep forward and Rutgers commit Greg Echinique accelerating his coursework in order to graduate in time to join the Scarlet Knights this fall. A member of the Class of 2009, sources have told Davis that Echinique has entered an accelerated program with hopes of getting this done. If it can happen, look out for RU next season. - Sources say that Travis Ford could be the new head coach at Oklahoma State any day now. According to ESPN.com, UMass head coach Travis Ford is expected to take the same position at Oklahoma State any day now, just about a week after turning down Providence and agreeing to a new deal to stay at UMass. He replaces Sean Sutton, who was let go after two seasons in Stillwater.

Ben Hanbsrough Leaving Mississippi State

Press Release — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 15:37:12 -0700

STARKVILLE, Miss. – Mississippi State University head men’s basketball coach Rick Stansbury announced Monday that Bulldog sophomore guard Ben Hansbrough has decided to transfer following his spring semester at MSU.

“Ben is a good kid and we wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors,” Stansbury said.

A 6-foot-3, 205-pound guard from Poplar Bluff, Mo., Hansbrough was MState’s fourth-leading scorer this past season at 10.5 points per contest. Having started 28 games for Stansbury’s 23-11 NCAA Tournament squad in 2007-08, Hansbrough tied for the team lead with 62 made three-point field goals in shooting 36 percent from beyond the three-point arc. Along with leading the SEC West champion Bulldogs in free throw percentage (.789) this past year, Hansbrough ranked as the club’s third-leading playmaker with 77 assists (2.6 apg) while also averaging 3.8 rebounds an outing.

Alex Legion Reconsidering Kentucky

Jeff Borzello — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 08:16:22 -0800

According to Seth Davis of SI.com, Kentucky freshman guard Alex Legion is rethinking his decision to transfer from Kentucky. Davis wrote that a source close to Legion also claimed coach Billy Gillispie would be open to Legion returning to the UK. Legion's mother, Annette, told the Lexington Herald-Leader that Alex has been back-and-forth since he announced his decision to transfer, likening it to a divorce. "The last 24 hours they’ve been working on my son," Annette Legion said. "It’s like a divorce. You don’t know how valuable that person is till you’re divorced." She also said Gillispie and Alex Legion have apparently worked out their differences, but she has not heard that directly from her son yet. "I’m told Billy and he have worked out their differences,” she said. “If that’s true, I will support him. I don’t have a problem if he goes back."

The Wildcats announced Tuesday in a press release that Alex Legion was transferring and several media outlets began speculating he may go to Michigan, where he originally committed before reneging and heading to Lexington. He is averaging 6.7 points per game this season.

Adrian Oliver Leaving Washington

Jeff Borzello — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 08:14:12 -0800

Washington sophomore guard Adrian Oliver has announced that he is leaving the Huskies' program and will transfer to another school. He informed coach Lorenzo Romar before practice on Tuesday that he wanted to go closer to home. "I know I see myself as a big-time player in this league," Oliver told the Seattle Post-Intelligencer. "I didn't see myself being that sort of player in this program." Oliver confirmed that Pac-10 rivals California and Stanford are among the schools pursuing him. Romar said Oliver had trouble adjusting to life away from home in Modesto, Calif. "He thought being away from home was something that he could adjust to, but being here has just been too difficult for him, being away from his family," Romar told the Seattle Times. With Oliver gone, only one of four players remain from Romar's 2006 recruiting class. He averaged 3.4 points per game this season.

Alex Legion Leaving Kentucky

Press Release — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 00:32:44 -0800

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Kentucky freshman guard Alex Legion informed head coach Billy Gillispie Monday night of his desire to transfer.

“It’s unfortunate and not what I wanted to hear, but I understand,” Gillispie said.

“We met with Alex and his mother Friday, and she informed us of her desire to seek a release for her son. Shortly after that meeting, Alex told me that he still wanted to be a part of our program. He played in the game against North Carolina Saturday and seemed happy when I spoke with him Sunday.”

Gillispie, who spent much of Monday in Louisville at funeral services for former Wildcat greats Ralph Beard and Tommy Kron, found out on the way back to Lexington that Legion had not attended Monday afternoon’s practice. He met with Legion late Monday night, when the player informed Gillispie of his decision to transfer.

“You always hate to lose a valued member of your program, and Alex was definitely that. He has tremendous potential as a player and a student, but most importantly, he is a wonderful young man. We hate to see him leave, but if he can be happier elsewhere then all you can do is wish him the best.”

Legion, a native of Inkster, Mich., has played in all six UK games, starting twice. He has averaged 6.7 points in over 17 minutes per game.

- UK Media Relations -

High Scoring Robert Mitchell to Leave Duquesne

Press Release — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 07:42:37 -0700

PITTSBURGH – Head men’s basketball coach Ron Everhart announced today that sophomore forward Robert Mitchell (Brooklyn, N.Y./Notre Dame Prep) has received his release from Duquesne University, clearing the way for his transfer to another school.

“Rob felt that it would be in his best interest to pursue a transfer and we accommodated him,” said Everhart. “Rob is a great kid and we wish him the best.”

The 6-6, 180-pound Mitchell averaged a team-high 16.4 points per game - a scoring average that ranked ninth among the nation’s Division I freshmen - on his way to earning Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Year honors last season. Mitchell, who was named A-10 Rookie of the Week a league-high five times, was just the second Duke to earn league Rookie of the Year honors, joining Bruce Atkins who was named ROW in 1978-79.

“We have had some very competitive practices in the past week,” said Everhart whose Dukes have been practicing since August 20 in preparation for the school’s first-ever foreign tour over Labor Day weekend. “I like our depth and team chemistry and I feel confident we are going to have a pretty good basketball team.”

Duquesne, which leaves Friday for a four-games-in-three-days trip to Toronto, will now return three starters, including eight of the top ten scorers from last season’s 10-19 team - Everhart’s first as head coach of the Dukes.

In additional news, Ricky Jackson (Canton, Ohio/McKinley/Cloud County Community College), a 6-7, 210-pound sophomore transfer from Cloud County (Kan.) Community College, has been denied admission to Duquesne and has been released from his National Letter of Intent.