This topic contains 10 replies, has 8 voices, and was last updated by sheltwon3 11 years, 11 months ago.
- AuthorPosts
- Posted on: Wed, 04/25/2012 - 1:17am #38624
McDunkinMIAMI — Florida International forward Dominique Ferguson announced Tuesday that he was entering the NBA draft, saying he’s unhappy about the firing of Isiah Thomas and unable to get permission to talk to other schools.
Ferguson told The Associated Press that his request to be released from his scholarship was denied by Pete Garcia, the school’s executive director of sports and entertainment. A subsequent appeal process that Ferguson said included a meeting with university President Mark Rosenberg also did not bring the release he sought.
.
The school had no immediate response to a request for comment.
“It’s been very confusing,” Ferguson said. “I’m getting through all this mess. It’s a big mess going on right now.”
In two seasons at FIU, the 6-foot-9, 210-pound forward averaged 8.0 points and 5.6 rebounds.
Several FIU players say they are considering transfers because of Thomas’ firing. FIU hired former Louisville associate head coach Richard Pitino to replace Thomas last week, and when he was introduced to the campus community, Pitino acknowledged that staying at the school may not be “a good fit” for everyone on the roster he inherited.
Once considered a top-20 high school prospect, Ferguson originally committed to playing at Kentucky. He made a surprising change of heart after the Wildcats fired Billy Gillispie in 2009, turning down offers to play for some of college basketball’s most storied programs. Kentucky still wanted him, as did major schools like Indiana and Louisville. Ferguson said he met both Cardinals coach Rick Pitino and Richard Pitino — a former assistant under his dad before taking over for Thomas — on the recruiting trail.
“I wanted to play for Isiah Thomas,” Ferguson said.
And with that no longer an option, Ferguson wanted out of FIU.
Ferguson said he cited academic, family and basketball reasons for wanting to transfer to a school closer to home. A native of Indianapolis, Ferguson said he had seen his family five times in the past three years and that he told the appeals board he needed “a better support system.”
“After much discussion with my family and support base we have decided to hire an agent and attempt to play professionally in the states or overseas,” Ferguson wrote in a news release announcing the decision.
Ferguson said he submitted the paperwork Tuesday. Early entry candidates have until Sunday to make themselves eligible for the June 28 draft.
0 - Posted on: Wed, 04/25/2012 - 1:59am #663730
ProudGrandpaParticipantArtest is not a "thug" or a "douchebag". He is just a guy with serious psychological issues ("crazy", perhaps?) and a bad case of immaturity. In its most extreme form, he does something like this, where he completely loses control. Not to say that he was not responsible for his actions (and I think 7 games is not enough), but he is not a malicious person, just a mentally unsound one with serious self-control and judgement issues.
0 - Posted on: Wed, 04/25/2012 - 2:01am #663728
ChrisCrossParticipantMike & Mike are pissed about this today
0 - Posted on: Wed, 04/25/2012 - 2:09am #663731
ChrisCrossParticipantdude wtf are you talking about, wrong forum
0 - Posted on: Wed, 04/25/2012 - 2:13am #663737
ProudGrandpaParticipantI am drunk. That shall be my excuse.
0 - Posted on: Wed, 04/25/2012 - 2:25am #663740
ChrisCrossParticipantgot some issues I see
0 - Posted on: Wed, 04/25/2012 - 4:52am #663775
fito91ParticipantI don’t really know too much about this kid, but his numbers (8.0 ppg and 5.6 reb) aren’t anything special.
It says he was considered a top 20 recruit, so I’m sure he’s got a lot of talent.
Do you guys think this kid really has a chance of getting drafted?
0 - Posted on: Wed, 04/25/2012 - 5:47am #663789
JoeWolf1Nope, he’s going overseas or to the D-Leauge, but he might as well throw his name in the hat.
0 - Posted on: Wed, 04/25/2012 - 7:58am #663851
M-EazyParticipantThis is sad and just another stain on the NCAA; fuccking crooks. He should be able to sue the school or something for a release.
0 - Posted on: Wed, 04/25/2012 - 8:48am #663873
MalcolmxParticipantThe NCAA did him filthy.
0 - Posted on: Wed, 04/25/2012 - 9:09am #663883
sheltwon3ParticipantThe NCAA is foul and everyone knows it but noone is willing to do anything about it. Also who knows maybe in predraft workouts, some team likes him enough to draft him in the second round
0 - AuthorPosts
You must be logged in to reply to this topic. | Login |