Brooklyn-born point guard Gary Ervin has had a fresh start since accepting a scholarship and transferring to Arkansas from Mississippi State. Moments after working out at the Razorbacks' Walton Arena yesterday he exclaimed, "I am so glad to be here."
Ervin, out of Robeson High, spent two seasons with the Bulldogs. As a sophomore, he averaged 7.4 points and 4.7 assists in 29.2 minutes and helped them reach the NCAA Tournament's Round of 32. He will sit out next season - as per NCAA transfer rules - and likely become the starting point guard during 2006-07 as a junior. Both the Razorbacks' starting and backup point guards are seniors.
"Playing at Arkansas will get me to the next level," Ervin told the News. "I got off to a slow start, but the best is yet to come. I think I need this year to get back my confidence shooting."
The in-conference transfer of SEC teams was difficult, since both schools must consent. Ervin admitted to an acrimonious divorce from coach Rick Stansbury, who told ESPN.com that he would never give Ervin a release from the scholarship. Ervin said he was able to get the release by taking his request to the school's NCAA compliance officer.
"I had to find other ways to get this done (because) Arkansas is too good an opportunity to turn down," Ervin said.
Roger Rubin
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This article appeared in a NY newspaper. Interesting quote:
The in-conference transfer of SEC teams was difficult, since both schools must consent. Ervin admitted to an acrimonious divorce from coach Rick Stansbury, who told ESPN.com that he would never give Ervin a release from the scholarship. Ervin said he was able to get the release by taking his request to the school's NCAA compliance officer.
Hhhmmmmmmmmmmmmm? Wonder what the NCAA compliance officer had to do with this sitiation.
