In a release issued yesterday by the Sports Information Department at UTEP, new Head Coach Tim Floyd announced that Arnett Moultrie will not return to the UTEP basketball team for the 2010-11 season.
“Arnett and I have arrived at a mutual understanding where it would be best for him to continue his career elsewhere,” Floyd said in the release. “We wish him well and thank him for his contributions over the last two seasons.”
According to a source, Moultrie also filled out and sent in paperwork to withdraw his name from the 2010 NBA Draft on Thursday. With his name out of consideration for the draft, Moultrie will now evaluate his options for a transfer from UTEP. According to the same sources, UTEP has granted Moultrie a conditional release stating that he cannot transfer to Memphis or Auburn without certain penalties.
The 6-11, 225-pound forward is originally from Memphis and played his high school basketball at Raleigh-Egypt High School. The early candidates for Moultrie’s transfer are Memphis, Mississippi State, and Arkansas. Despite the conditional release, Moultrie can still choose to transfer to the University of Memphis.
If he chose to do so, Moultrie would lose a year of eligibility while sitting next season, becoming eligibile for the 2011-2012 season classified as a senior. Additionally, Moultrie would be restricted from becoming a scholarship player at Memphis next season, instead having to pay in-state tuition for one year.
Moultrie appeared in 70 games over the last two seasons, with 67 starts. He averaged 9.3 points and 7.5 rebounds with nine double-double games for his career as a Miner.
Out of high school, Moultrie flew under the radar and was passed over by then Memphis Head Coach John Calipari. Opting for one of Calipari’s disciples, Moultrie headed to UTEP under Tony Barbee.
Standing 6’11, Moultrie has excellent height and a good, albeit undeveloped, frame. With added strength, he could develop into a force around the basket. He is a very good athlete and is mobile in both the post and the open floor. Moultrie is a high-level offensive rebounder.
ADDENDUM FOR CLARIFICATION
Since this seems unclear to some, here is additional clarification on the matter.
If Moultrie transfers anywhere but Memphis or Auburn, it’s a NORMAL TRANSFER meaning he has to sit out next year (but does not lose a year of eligibility) and would be on scholarship. He would start the 2011-2012 season as a junior with two years of eligibility left.
If he chooses to go against the conditional release, he can do so but has to sit out (like a normal transfer) but loses a year of eligibility while doing so and cannot be on scholarship that year. He would have to pay his own way for that one year. He would start 2011-2012 as a senior, making that his final year of eligibility.
Does this pose a potential problem for Memphis? Yes and no. Is it a burden to pay for tuition when you could be on scholarship somewhere else? Yes, but in-state tuition for the University of Memphis is very cheap. In terms of the loss of one year of eligibility, that will likely not play a factor in this decision. With Moultrie being talked about as a borderline first-rounder this year, it is most probable that Moultrie would only need one year to play at a new school before jumping to the NBA. If he was so close to staying in the draft this year, it is almost a guarantee that he will jump after two additional years of development (one while sitting, the other while playing).
See all articles by Brooks Hansen ( 259 ).
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