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Southern Miss’ lone returning starter granted release from scholarship

Southern Mississippi Sadler Basketball

Doc Sadler, the new head NCAA college basketball coach for Southern Mississippi, introduces himself during a news conference Thursday, May 1, 2014, in Hattiesburg, Miss. (AP Photo/The Hattiesburg American, Eric J. Shelton) NO SALES

AP

With four starters having moved on at the end of the 2013-14 season, new Southern Miss head coach Doc Sadler was expected to go into his debut season with Aaron Brown being his most experienced player. Brown, who began his college career at Temple, started 30 of the Golden Eagles’ 36 games and posted averages of 9.9 points and 4.3 rebounds per game last season.

However he won’t be around next season, with it being reported by Jeff Borzello of CBSSports.com on Saturday that Brown’s request to be released from his scholarship was granted. And as a graduate transfer, Brown would be eligible to play immediately at another Division I school. In a school release, Southern Miss athletic director Bill McGillis explained why he and Sadler agreed to release Brown.

“Upon returning to the office tonight, after two full days away, I had the opportunity to fully review Aaron Brown’s written request for a release,” athletic director Bill McGillis said in a release. “I was able to contact and visit with Aaron personally to discuss his request and to understand his family circumstances. I was also able to visit with coach Sadler to gain his perspective.

“Coach Sadler and I agree that Aaron’s circumstances warrant the granting of his release. Coach Sadler thinks very highly of Aaron and is supportive of his decision to attend graduate school at another institution that better fits his family circumstances.”


Brown’s departure means that Jeremiah Eason, who started 14 games last season, former Minnesota guard Chip Armelin and guard/forward Matt Bingaya are Southern Miss’ most experienced returnees. Sadler added five players to his roster who will be eligible to play immediately, and former Dayton guard Khari Price is expected to have to sit out the upcoming season per NCAA transfer rules.

While losing another starter doesn’t help Southern Miss’ chances of making a run at another Conference USA title, it appears as if their decision to release Brown was made with the player’s best interest in mind.

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