TulsaWarrior
05-08-2014, 08:36 PM
Its clear Marquette is looking closely and selectively at the transfer wire hoping to find immediate help to bolster a thin front court. When you take into account division one players and JUCO players the list has hundreds of names. Each athlete has a different career story. Historically the impact of transfers on their new team has been as varied as their background.
When Robert Jackson transferred to Marquette he sat a year and had one year to play. Some fans were skeptical, even describing the Milwaukee native as a “cancer” being introduced into the program. Those fans were wrong and the strong argument could be made that Marquette wouldn’t have made it to the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament without him.
Marquette’s program is looking for immediate help this spring because of the coaching transition. Coach Wojo has done well to secure the players already on campus, as well as getting 6-5, Sandy Cohen to re-commit and bringing in veteran point guard Matt Carlino. After a high school romance with Tom Crean, a nightmare semester at UCLA, Carlino had a consistent if not spectacular career at BYU. Carlino gives Marquette a veteran playmaker/shooter with three years of post season tournament experience. Wojo is also getting a player who wants a new start and a chance to prove he can be a difference maker.
There’s one more piece of the puzzle that can make the 2014-15 season more than a rebuilding year. Darius Leonard graduates from Campbell University this weekend. After Mother’s Day weekend he heads to Milwaukee to consider a post graduate year with the Golden Eagles.
The graduate of Kestrel Heights High School in Durham, North Carolina has already spent one year at Kent State and three at Campbell. In 2009-10, Leonard averaged nearly 17 points and 11 rebounds and led his high school team to a 37-7 record. Despite that he was not considered an elite recruit. Since high school he has shown marked improvement filling out to 6-9 and 235 pounds. Playing for three different head coaches in his college career and getting mixed signals didn’t give him the chance to get consistent direction.
Two years ago under Coach Robbie Laing he never shot from three point territory. Laing was fired and Richmond assistant Kevin McGeehan took over the Campbell program. Leonard was told to fire away. He averaged 38 percent from long range – making five, three pointers in one half. Campbell continued to struggle as the season came to an end and Leonard’s final numbers didn’t show the promise of earlier in the season.
One way or another Leonard will get a new start either with Marquette or a list of other suitors. Some Golden Eagles fans are asking if a player from a lower division one program, one who was ranked 35th player in North Carolina high school graduating class can make a difference. Leonard is clearly a late bloomer from a basketball family. His cousin, Donald Williams was the MVP of the 1993 Final Four, North Carolina NCAA Championship team and his mom was an outstanding player in her own right.
With Marquette’s woefully thin front court there’s a playing time opportunity for a potential transfer an opportunity that few if any high level D1 schools can offer. With Marquette’s group of coaches with Raleigh/Durham connections that could be a life long benefit to an athlete like Leonard.
The help wanted sign is out for Leonard or another transfer with his own unique story.
When Robert Jackson transferred to Marquette he sat a year and had one year to play. Some fans were skeptical, even describing the Milwaukee native as a “cancer” being introduced into the program. Those fans were wrong and the strong argument could be made that Marquette wouldn’t have made it to the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament without him.
Marquette’s program is looking for immediate help this spring because of the coaching transition. Coach Wojo has done well to secure the players already on campus, as well as getting 6-5, Sandy Cohen to re-commit and bringing in veteran point guard Matt Carlino. After a high school romance with Tom Crean, a nightmare semester at UCLA, Carlino had a consistent if not spectacular career at BYU. Carlino gives Marquette a veteran playmaker/shooter with three years of post season tournament experience. Wojo is also getting a player who wants a new start and a chance to prove he can be a difference maker.
There’s one more piece of the puzzle that can make the 2014-15 season more than a rebuilding year. Darius Leonard graduates from Campbell University this weekend. After Mother’s Day weekend he heads to Milwaukee to consider a post graduate year with the Golden Eagles.
The graduate of Kestrel Heights High School in Durham, North Carolina has already spent one year at Kent State and three at Campbell. In 2009-10, Leonard averaged nearly 17 points and 11 rebounds and led his high school team to a 37-7 record. Despite that he was not considered an elite recruit. Since high school he has shown marked improvement filling out to 6-9 and 235 pounds. Playing for three different head coaches in his college career and getting mixed signals didn’t give him the chance to get consistent direction.
Two years ago under Coach Robbie Laing he never shot from three point territory. Laing was fired and Richmond assistant Kevin McGeehan took over the Campbell program. Leonard was told to fire away. He averaged 38 percent from long range – making five, three pointers in one half. Campbell continued to struggle as the season came to an end and Leonard’s final numbers didn’t show the promise of earlier in the season.
One way or another Leonard will get a new start either with Marquette or a list of other suitors. Some Golden Eagles fans are asking if a player from a lower division one program, one who was ranked 35th player in North Carolina high school graduating class can make a difference. Leonard is clearly a late bloomer from a basketball family. His cousin, Donald Williams was the MVP of the 1993 Final Four, North Carolina NCAA Championship team and his mom was an outstanding player in her own right.
With Marquette’s woefully thin front court there’s a playing time opportunity for a potential transfer an opportunity that few if any high level D1 schools can offer. With Marquette’s group of coaches with Raleigh/Durham connections that could be a life long benefit to an athlete like Leonard.
The help wanted sign is out for Leonard or another transfer with his own unique story.