Kansas basketball: Grad transfer rule good for Jayhawks
By Stan Unruh
Kansas basketball continues to benefit from the graduate transfer trend. Not everyone is pleased with the rule that is growing in popularity.
Memphis transfer Tarik Black played an import role for Bill Self’s 2013 Kansas basketball team.
The Big 12 named Black preseason newcomer of the year.
The 6 foot 9 inch forward also earned conference newcomer of the week honors after a scoring 17 points and collecting 6 rebounds in a December win over Georgetown.
He played in 33 Kansas basketball games that season. His decision to transfer from Memphis was very important for the Jayhawks.
We can only hope William and Mary’s Jack Whitman will be just as valuable.
Grad transfers in basketball and football are incredibly valuable and controversial.
I initially understand the program simply provided an opportunity for a player to move because their original school did not have the classes they needed.
In 2013, Tarik Black graduated from Memphis with a degree in organizational leadership. He was working on a master’s degree in African and African American Studies.
On May 15, Jack Whitman graduated with a degree in kinesiology and health sciences at William & Mary. The media release from Kansas basketball mentions his explosiveness but did not include what he will study during his one year of eligibility.
I don’t care what he studies as long as he contributes in a positive way to the basketball program. Others around the country disagree.
This spring, the University of Pittsburg included significant stipulations when they released grad transfer Cameron Johnson.
Craig Meyer details the controversy in The Pittsburg Post-Gazette.
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Former Kansas assistant coach Kevin Stallings is the head coach at Pittsburg.
Critics say schools have no right to limit where athletes in any sport decide to transfer.
Until the NCAA or the Big 12 determines otherwise, I’m glad Bill Self is playing by the rules and finding the talent who will help the Jayhawks.