College Transfers Becoming A Concern

San Antonio Express, Joseph Duarte

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/cowboys/article/Basketball-transfers-becoming-a-concern-3519883.php

Rice had just finished its best basketball season in seven years when two freshmen decided to transfer in late March.

Less than two weeks later, another player opted to leave the program.

It’s not uncommon for players to be on the move during the offseason for a variety of reasons, but that doesn’t mean Rice coach Ben Braun has to like it.

“I take that personally, Braun said. Even if it is a pattern, I don’t want to see our program falling into that pattern.”

Braun isn’t alone, as across the country, the number of players transferring from one program to another is rising at an alarming rate. An unofficial count of end-of-year transfers by CBSSports.com is up to nearly 400 names — an average of more than one transfer per school.

Forty percent of students who play men’s Division I basketball transfer by their junior season, NCAA president Mark Emmert said recently.

Athletes generally transfer to play closer to home, get more playing time or because of a coaching change. At the same time, schools are faced with a “play me or lose me” mentality as players lose patience quickly and decide to go elsewhere in search of a better opportunity. Others don’t fit in academically, have a falling-out with the coaching staff or are told they don’t fit in the program’s plans.

Emmert said transfer rules are too complex and need to be changed, particularly rules that allow coaches to restrict if and where Division I basketball players can transfer. The traditional rules that force a player to sit out a year after moving to another Division I school have come with exemptions in recent years if a player transfers to be closer to home or for family medical problems.

College Transfers Becoming A Concern

San Antonio Express, Joseph Duarte

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/cowboys/article/Basketball-transfers-becoming-a-concern-3519883.php

Rice had just finished its best basketball season in seven years when two freshmen decided to transfer in late March.

Less than two weeks later, another player opted to leave the program.

It’s not uncommon for players to be on the move during the offseason for a variety of reasons, but that doesn’t mean Rice coach Ben Braun has to like it.

“I take that personally, Braun said. Even if it is a pattern, I don’t want to see our program falling into that pattern.”

Braun isn’t alone, as across the country, the number of players transferring from one program to another is rising at an alarming rate. An unofficial count of end-of-year transfers by CBSSports.com is up to nearly 400 names — an average of more than one transfer per school.

Forty percent of students who play men’s Division I basketball transfer by their junior season, NCAA president Mark Emmert said recently.

Athletes generally transfer to play closer to home, get more playing time or because of a coaching change. At the same time, schools are faced with a “play me or lose me” mentality as players lose patience quickly and decide to go elsewhere in search of a better opportunity. Others don’t fit in academically, have a falling-out with the coaching staff or are told they don’t fit in the program’s plans.

Emmert said transfer rules are too complex and need to be changed, particularly rules that allow coaches to restrict if and where Division I basketball players can transfer. The traditional rules that force a player to sit out a year after moving to another Division I school have come with exemptions in recent years if a player transfers to be closer to home or for family medical problems.