UConn junior power forward Alex Oriakhi has received his official release and is being courted by some big-time programs, according to a report.
Kentucky, North Carolina, Duke and Missouri are all interested in the 6-foot-9 Oriakhi, according to the Connecticut Post. The report says it’s “unlikely” Oriakhi will consider Duke.
UConn is currently banned from the 2013 NCAA Tournament and thus Oriakhi would be immediately eligible and would not have to sit out a season.
The SEC does not permit one-year transfers, and thus Oriakhi would have to obtain a separate waiver in order to transfer to Kentucky, the Post reported.
Missouri joins the SEC next season and Oriakhi and MIssouri point guard Phil Pressey won a national AAU Championship with the Boston Area Basketball Club in 2006.
A key contributor on the 2011 UConn NCAA championship team, Oriakhi never got comfortable playing alongside Andre Drummond and often became the whipping boy for coach Jim Calhoun. After averaging 9.6 points and 8.7 rebounds in 29.1 minutes as a sophomore, he averaged 6.7 points and 4.8 rebounds in 21.5 minutes this year.
Drummond and sophomore wing Jeremy Lamb are both projected as lottery picks in the upcoming NBA Draft, but neither has announced plans.
Photo: Getty Images
fearthephog25 / March 28, 2012
When will we hear of DeAndre Daniels’ desire to transfer? His biggest mistake was being dummied into going to uconn and wasting a year of eligibility.
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UofA BJ / March 28, 2012
Nice pickup 4 who ever gets him.
Was hoping ZONA would be in the mix even with 3 five star bigs coming in.
Weird season with Alex last year, it was almost like he was in the doghouse.( UConn fans?) minutes and numbers way down.
I think he is capable of 14 pts 8 reb 2 blk a game type numbers. So whoever gets him will be fortunate .
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kungpaochicken / March 28, 2012
“Kentucky, North Carolina, Duke and Missouri.”
Which one doesn’t belong?
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JonHuskyMS / March 28, 2012
he was in the doghouse, and had a tough time playing alongside Drummond.
As far as DeAndre – i dont think he was dummied. KU obviously didnt have what he wanted, or he would have committed there from the get-go. UConn called, and fresh off a championship, he came. Was a tough year for him but he’ll rebound and be back – too talented not to.
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