Study: Racial graduation-rate gap grows for men’s teams

A diversity report for graduation rates among potential NCAA Tournament teams found a larger gap between white and black men’s players from the previous year, while male players continue to lag behind their female counterparts overall.

The Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport (TIDES) at Central Florida released two annual studies this week examining graduation rates for men’s and women’s teams invited to the NCAA Tournament. With the tournament canceled amid the coronavirus pandemic, the studies used final bracket projections from ESPN as a substitute.

On the men’s side, the gap between the average Graduation Success Rate (GSR) for white and black players increased after declines in the previous two years. Scores for both groups were higher, though gains by white players outpaced those of black players to create the larger gap.

Institute director Richard Lapchick, the lead report author, called the increased gap “disappointing” and “more than discouraging” in the study.

Huskie declares for draft

SEATTLE » Washington freshman Isaiah Stewart declared for the NBA draft after becoming a bright spot in an otherwise disappointing season for the Huskies.

Stewart was expected to leave Washington after one season even before he set foot on campus. A bruising 6-foot-9 forward, Stewart was named to the all-Pac-12 first team after averaging 16.6 points and 8.7 rebounds.

Hamilton, former Eagle, commits to Maryland

COLLEGE PARK, MD. » Forward Jairus Hamilton has committed to Maryland after playing basketball for two years for Boston College.

The 6-foot-8 Hamilton played in

24 games with the Eagles last season, including 20 starts. He averaged 9.5 points and tallied a careerhigh 23 in a win over Virginia Tech.

Hamilton was highly recruited out of high school before selecting Boston College. He played in

30 games as a freshman, averaging 5.6 points per game.