Adam Zagoria covers basketball at all levels. He is the author of two books and an award-winning journalist whose articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Sports Illustrated, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide.
Famous Wants Out at USF; Kentucky Loses 3; Clemson's Olgesby to Europe
Jarrid Famous wants out of his Letter of Intent to South Florida, multiple sources said Tuesday.
“Jarrid Famous is trying to get out of his letter,” one source with direct knowledge said.
The 6-foot-11 Famous chose South Florida last month over Arizona, Missouri and Seton Hall and could end up at one of those places if he gets out. Arizona appears to be a likely destination.
Famous’ father, however, told the St. Petersburg Times that his son would attend South Florida.
“Jarrid is going to South Florida. He’s not switching schools,” the father said. “He’s going to South Florida, no doubt about it.”
Famous is reportedly upset because he hasn’t heard from USF head coach Stan Heath. He also wasn’t notified of the coaching changes at USF which saw the departure of Byron Samuels, who helped recruit Famous, and of Dan Hipsher, now at Alabama.
Famous was not immediately available for comment.
Westchester assistant Mickey Carey told the Tampa Tribune Famous is in the process of contacting USF athletic director Doug Woolard to get his release.
“There seems to be a rift among the [Westchester] coaches wanting him to go to Arizona,” Heath told the paper. “The dad assured me the kid is coming. I spoke briefly with Jarrid today, and I am supposed to talk to him again later today.”
“Jarrid’s mind is made up,” Carey told the Tampa Tribune. “Last week, he got really fed up. It got to the point … Heath says I’m going to come see him on this day and then he says he can’t make it. After a while that gets old. I think the situation at USF doesn’t look good.
“I was concerned when you have half your staff leave in a week. Now a month and a half later and there’s still uncertainty who will be on staff. Plus Heath only has two years left [on his contract].
“Since Jarrid signed, he hasn’t seen Coach Heath, Coach Heath hasn’t called him. He doesn’t know anything about the coaching staff. He didn’t feel comfortable with the situation anymore. It seems to be very unstable.”
If Famous doesn’t get a release – a la Jio Fontan at Fordham -he would have to sit a year and then resurface somewhere for the 2010-11 season.
KENTUCKY LOSING THREERemember all the talk about John Calipari having 17 scholarship players at Kentucky?
It seems like ancient history now.
The Wildcats announced Tuesday that Jared Carter, A.J. Stewart and Donald Williams will not return for the 2009-10 season.
Carter, a 7-2 senior, will not seek a fifth year, after sitting out the majority of the 2006-07 season due to a shoulder injury.
“I’ve enjoyed my experience at UK and will remember all the people and players I’ve met along the way, especially Mr. Keightley,” said Carter. “I’m looking forward to moving on with my life and am excited to see what professional opportunities await me.”
Stewart (pictured) and Williams will both transfer.
Kentucky guard Jodie Meeks could still withdraw from the NBA Draft, leaving the ‘Cats with 13 players.
Some members of their star-studded incoming class could also fail to become eligible.
Speaking of Kentucky, former coach Billy Gillispie’shouse is up for sale if anyone has a couple mill to blow in Lexington.
OGLESBY GOING TO EUROPEOne day after Nick Calathes of Florida announced he would play professionally in Greece, Clemson sophomore guard Terrence Oglesby said he will follow him to Europe.
Oglesby averaged 13.2 points and drained 92 3-pointers last season and was one of the Tiger’s top players.
“It’s a very good opportunity for me to go over there and be a professional and practice twice a day and work out six hours a day,” Oglesby told Jeff Goodman of FoxSports.com. “It was too much to pass up.”
Adam Zagoria is a Basketball Insider who covers basketball at all levels. A contributor to The New York Times and SportsNet New York (SNY), he is also the author of two books and is an award-winning journalist and filmmaker. His articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide. He also won an Emmy award for his work on the SNY mini-documentary on Syracuse guard Tyus Battle.
A veteran Ultimate Frisbee player, he has competed in numerous National and World Championships and, perhaps more importantly, his teams won the Westchester Summer League (WSL) championships in 2011 and 2013.
He lives in Manhattan with his wife and children.
Jarrid Famous wants out of his Letter of Intent to South Florida, multiple sources said Tuesday.
“Jarrid Famous is trying to get out of his letter,” one source with direct knowledge said.
The 6-foot-11 Famous chose South Florida last month over Arizona, Missouri and Seton Hall and could end up at one of those places if he gets out. Arizona appears to be a likely destination.
Famous’ father, however, told the St. Petersburg Times that his son would attend South Florida.
“Jarrid is going to South Florida. He’s not switching schools,” the father said. “He’s going to South Florida, no doubt about it.”
Famous is reportedly upset because he hasn’t heard from USF head coach Stan Heath. He also wasn’t notified of the coaching changes at USF which saw the departure of Byron Samuels, who helped recruit Famous, and of Dan Hipsher, now at Alabama.
Famous was not immediately available for comment.
Westchester assistant Mickey Carey told the Tampa Tribune Famous is in the process of contacting USF athletic director Doug Woolard to get his release.
“There seems to be a rift among the [Westchester] coaches wanting him to go to Arizona,” Heath told the paper. “The dad assured me the kid is coming. I spoke briefly with Jarrid today, and I am supposed to talk to him again later today.”
“Jarrid’s mind is made up,” Carey told the Tampa Tribune. “Last week, he got really fed up. It got to the point … Heath says I’m going to come see him on this day and then he says he can’t make it. After a while that gets old. I think the situation at USF doesn’t look good.
“I was concerned when you have half your staff leave in a week. Now a month and a half later and there’s still uncertainty who will be on staff. Plus Heath only has two years left [on his contract].
“Since Jarrid signed, he hasn’t seen Coach Heath, Coach Heath hasn’t called him. He doesn’t know anything about the coaching staff. He didn’t feel comfortable with the situation anymore. It seems to be very unstable.”
If Famous doesn’t get a release – a la Jio Fontan at Fordham -he would have to sit a year and then resurface somewhere for the 2010-11 season.
KENTUCKY LOSING THREE
Remember all the talk about John Calipari having 17 scholarship players at Kentucky?
It seems like ancient history now.
The Wildcats announced Tuesday that Jared Carter, A.J. Stewart and Donald Williams will not return for the 2009-10 season.
Carter, a 7-2 senior, will not seek a fifth year, after sitting out the majority of the 2006-07 season due to a shoulder injury.
“I’ve enjoyed my experience at UK and will remember all the people and players I’ve met along the way, especially Mr. Keightley,” said Carter. “I’m looking forward to moving on with my life and am excited to see what professional opportunities await me.”
Stewart (pictured) and Williams will both transfer.
Kentucky guard Jodie Meeks could still withdraw from the NBA Draft, leaving the ‘Cats with 13 players.
Some members of their star-studded incoming class could also fail to become eligible.
Speaking of Kentucky, former coach Billy Gillispie’s house is up for sale if anyone has a couple mill to blow in Lexington.
OGLESBY GOING TO EUROPE
One day after Nick Calathes of Florida announced he would play professionally in Greece, Clemson sophomore guard Terrence Oglesby said he will follow him to Europe.
Oglesby averaged 13.2 points and drained 92 3-pointers last season and was one of the Tiger’s top players.
“It’s a very good opportunity for me to go over there and be a professional and practice twice a day and work out six hours a day,” Oglesby told Jeff Goodman of FoxSports.com. “It was too much to pass up.”
