Here are a few quick updates on some happenings in the hoops world….
***As first reported here last month, Memphis sophomore guard Jeff Robinson will transfer. Robinson, who led St. Patrick of Elizabeth (NJ) to back-to-back New Jersey Tournament of Champions crowns in 2006 and ’07, was granted his release by the University and could end up closer to home at Seton Hall or St. Joe’s. If he ends up somewhere for the upcoming semester, he could suit up in the second semester of the 2009-10 season.
The 6-foot-5 Robinson fell out of John Calipari’s rotation and did not play the last four games because of a lower back injury.
Robinson was averaging 2.1 points in 9.2 minutes. Last year he notched a double-double with 20 points and 10 rebounds against Siena.
***Seton Hall did not hear about Keon Lawrence’s hardship waiver today.
“I didn’t hear anything today,” said Alif Muhammad, Lawrence’s adviser.
Muhammad told me Tuesday that the 6-foot-2, 175-pound Lawrence plans to suit up this year if he gets the waiver even though Seton Hall has already played 15 games, including three in the Big East. Muhammad had previously said Lawrence would sit out this year and wait until next because Lawrence had missed the entire non-conference schedule and several Big East games. He is a junior and has two years of eligibility remaining after transferring from Missouri.
“He’s definitely going to play [if he gets the waiver],” Muhammad said.
***Kashif Pratt has officially left the Iona program for personal reasons.
“We are very disappointed to lose such a great young man from our program,” Iona coach Kevin Willard said. “However, we fully support Kashif in his decision and wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors.”
A former Rice star, Pratt first attended Seton Hall before transferring. He appeared in 14 games and averaged 6.6 points and 2.1 rebounds this year. We hear he could end up somewhere in New York City but won’t play ball at his new school.
*** 7-footer Beas Hamga is at the Marquette- Rutgers game tonight, according to his advisor, Mark Adams. Adams originally told me Hamga would attend Saturday’s Syracuse game. The 7-footer is considering Rutgers, South Carolina and Valparaiso after announcing his transfer from UNLV.
**Lance Stephenson dropped 37 points in Tuesday’s game against Boys & Girls, but the Railsplitters (7-4) lost 71-61. Mike Taylor led Boys & Girls with 19, including five 3-pointers.
“Nobody,” Lincoln coach Dwayne (Tiny) Morton told fiveborosports.com, “could make plays but Lance.”
**Former Rutgers walk-on and Wayne (NJ) Valley three-sport star Charlie Rigoglioso is thriving at D-3 Moravian and scored a career-high 23 points in the championship game of a recent tourney against Muhlenberg.
(Photos courtesy Memphis Commercial Appeal and fiveborosports.com)
