Suspended freshman Brian Bowen will look to transfer from Louisville after the University announced Wednesday that he would not suit up for the Cardinals in the wake of the FBI investigation that cost head head Rick Pitino and AD Tom Jurich their jobs.
“Brian looks to complete this semester at UL and then seek an opportunity to play elsewhere,” his attorney, Jason Setchen, told ZAGSBLOG Wednesday evening.
“At this time we are not otherwise commenting on Brian’s situation other than to say: (1) Brian fully cooperated with the institution and it is our position that there is overwhelming evidence in support of our contention that Brian did not participate in any of the alleged schemes nor did he have any knowledge their purported existence. Therefore, Brian is very disappointed with UL’s decision not to seek reinstatement on his behalf; and (2) We continue to have the utmost confidence in the NCAA and their enforcement personnel and Brian looks forward to pursuing his lifelong dream of playing college basketball at. another NCAA member institution.”
Bowen chose Louisville last June after he had initially listed a top five of Arizona, Creighton, Michigan State, N.C. State and Texas. His mother was quoted in FBI documents saying he “primarily considered Arizona.”
It remains unclear what schools would consider taking the 6-foot-7 Bowen now.
“Who knows?” one assistant coach from a school that was on his initial list of five said.
Louisville said it would provide written permission for Bowen to transfer. For the time being, he remains on scholarship.
Typically, student-athletes have to sit out a full year after transferring. This summer, Sidney Wilson transferred to UConn from St. John’s without ever playing a game for the Red Storm but has to sit this season because he took summer classes at St. John’s.
“Brian has been a responsible young man for the institution since he enrolled,” interim Louisville athletics director Vince Tyra said in a statement. “He has endeared himself to his teammates and the men’s basketball staff with a positive attitude during a very difficult period.”
The FBI complaint from September named assistants from four colleges, including Arizona’s Book Richardson, and also alleged Adidas arranged to pay Bowen’s family $100,000 in return for his commitment to Louisville and his subsequent signing with Adidas. Richardson and the three other assistants have since been indicted.
Bowen was suspended indefinitely by the school in September, and later cleared by the FBI.
Bowen is currently projected as the No. 19 pick in the 2019 Draft, per ESPN.com.
Louisville also announced that it had “parted ways” with former associate head coach Kenny Johnson.
“The university will have no further comment on this personnel matter,” a release from the school said.
For more on the Bowen situation, read our New York Times story here.
Follow Adam Zagoria on Twitter
