McCullum passes on Washington????

[Bullsfan]

Washington to South Florida via Memphis?

Posted August 10, 2006 by Brett McMurphy

The title of this blog isn’t a bad connection on Delta Airlines, but rather an improbable but true transfer possibility that nearly happened: former Memphis point guard Darius Washington coming to the University of South Florida.

Weeks before the deadline for underclassmen to remove their names from the June NBA Draft, an “associate†of Washington’s told a Memphis reporter that Washington, who already indicated he wasn’t returning to Memphis next season, was interested in transferring to USF.  Apparently Washington, an Orlando Edgewater graduate, was intrigued about the chance of playing close to his hometown and in the Big East. Washington was serious enough about USF that Washington’s “associate†contacted USF coach Robert McCullum.

The “associate†told McCullum they needed to know immediately if USF would take him. At the time, USF had a healthy Chris Howard (although a month later he tore his ACL) and incoming freshman Solomon Bozeman at the point. Also, Washington hadn’t removed his name from the draft and there were some concerns about Washington’s academic situation. So McCullum told Washington’s “associate†at that time he was not interested. Washington’s “associate†did not contact USF again.

There’s no guarantee, of course, that Washington would have come to USF even if McCullum had said yes. Also, Washington would have had to sit out the 2006-07 season at USF and likely have played only one season before turning pro. But, if Washington had decided to come to Tampa, USF’s “Team Transfer†would have had a pretty impressive core group for the 2007-08 season: Washington, Jesus Verdejo, Kentrell Gransberry and Aris Williams.

Saturday the Bulls leave for Italy for their 12-day foreign tour. USF senior PG Chris Capko will write an exclusive blog for TBO. Capko is one of seven Bulls making the trip along with senior F Melvin Buckley, senior F McHugh Mattis, senior G Eddie Lovett, senior F Melvyn Richardson, sophomore F Aris Williams and freshman F Zaronn Cann.

However, Cann will not play because he still hasn’t been cleared after injuring his knee last season, leaving USF with only six players for five games - Rome Select (Aug. 14), Firenze Select (Aug. 17), Giants Marghera (Aug. 18), Vern Sisterni Basket Forli (Aug. 20) and Omegna Basket (Aug. 21). I’d hate to think what would happen if USF suffers any injuries over there.

If you want to comment on whether USF should have taken a chance on Washington, the upcoming Italy trip or anything else, please remember there is a new policy about posting on the Tribune/TBO blogs. Comments will not be posted unless a first and last name is given. I realize some people want to remain anonymous, so if you choose to use your own first and last name that’s up to you. Ciao!

http://www.tboblogs.com/index.php/sports/related/C127/

[Guest]

Passed on Washington . Passed.

Hindsight is 20-20.  

At the time, USF had a healthy Chris Howard (although a month later he tore his ACL) and incoming freshman Solomon Bozeman at the point. Also, Washington hadn’t removed his name from the draft and there were some concerns about Washington’s academic situation. So McCullum told Washington’s “associate†at that time he was not interested.

[Bullsfan]

Even if we had a healthy Chris Howard and the other PGs, one thing we have learned in the past with USF bball, you can never have enough depth.  Take the kid in and he will bring great PR to the team.  

[Kyle]

You also assume that Memphis would have released him. Do you think Calipari is that dumb?

[flsportsfan83]

WHAT...... WOW...... This can't be true even CRM isint that stupid.

[Velcro]

who cares... its good that he passed on him... he probably wouldn't have even been eligible anyway.

Given the circumstances, it WAS the right decision.  Now we might need help more than at the time, but at that time... it was fine.

[JoeB]

If I remember correctly, he was the kid that got fouled going to the hoop at the end of a game trailing by one.  He made a throat  cut gesture to the other team basically saying they were dead since he was going to the line to shoot two FTs.  I recall he missed both and then was left crying at the line after the game.  Am I the only one that didn't want him to join the team?  Sounds like a great team player.  

[Greg Auman]

Could very well be true, but what I wonder about is this: if Darius Washington thinks enough of himself to put his name in for the NBA Draft, hard for me to believe he'd be patient enough to push that back at least two more years, one to sit out and at least one to play in the Big East. Just seems like it's going from one extreme to another. Not to say he couldn't have explored the option.

[flsportsfan83]

thats a kid you say yes we are interested to. He has more talent than anybody that has ever played here. Maybe Mac said no because he knows he wont be here next year. STUPID STUPID MOVE. The dumbest thing Mac has done since he has been here. Only a few more moths of this joke we call a basketball program.

[JoeB]

I agree with Greg.  It sounds like he was ready to go to the NBA.  Sitting out a year might have been the reason for Mac's no thank you.  Let's not be so quick to judge Mac for this thing that never even came to fruition.  Word of the Day........