Hoyas hit with more transfers
COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Freshman forward Myron Gardner and junior forward Galen Alexander announced Friday their intent to transfer from Georgetown.
Gardner announced his decision in a statement released to The Washington Post. An hour later, Alexander followed on social media.
In his announcement, which was posted on Twitter, Alexander criticized the university for what he called unfair treatment in the wake of two complaints filed last month in D.C. Superior Court that implicated him and two other members of the basketball team.
“My character has been defamed and that needs to be cleared up more than anything else. Very soon it will come to light that I am innocent and had nothing to do with the false allegations,” Alexander wrote. “... In light of the situation, the University has allowed me to become a target and subjected to unfair treatment, with little or no support.
“With that being said, my family and I have decided that Georgetown is not the environment for me to successfully grow as both an individual and as a basketball player. With a heavy heart, I would like to announce that I am transferring from Georgetown University in hopes of finding a program that will help foster my success and allow my true potential as the person and player that I can become.”
Alexander and Gardner are the third and fourth players to transfer from Georgetown in two weeks. The school announced Dec. 2 that sophomore point guard James Akinjo and sophomore forward Josh LeBlanc are also transferring.
Following the Dec. 2 announcement, a public records search showed that two Georgetown students filed two separate complaints against members of the basketball team. The first was filed on Nov. 5 against LeBlanc and Alexander and includes allegations of burglary, threats of bodily harm and verbal threats.
The second, filed against LeBlanc, Alexander and Gardner on Nov. 12, was mutually resolved Monday without the admission of or finding of guilt. The complaint included allegations of sexual harassment and assault and was resolved when Gardner, Alexander and LeBlanc agreed to stay at least 50 feet away from the complainant under a civil protection order, according to court documents.
Neither of the complaints mentioned Akinjo.
Gardner announced his decision to enter the NCAA transfer portal in a statement released through his attorney, Cynthia Goode Works.
“After consultation with my family I have decided that it is in my best interest to enter into the transfer portal,” Gardner said. “I want to thank Coach Patrick Ewing, Coach Louis Orr, the staff and the entire Georgetown University community for their support of my success.”
Alexander’s and Gardner’s decision to transfer leaves the Hoyas with nine scholarship players on the roster, two of which haven’t seen action in a game yet this season. The moves were announced the day before Georgetown’s home matchup against archrival Syracuse.
Gardner, a 6-foot-6 forward from Michigan, averaged 3.1 points and 2.9 rebounds in 10.4 minutes over eight games.
Alexander, a 6-foot-6 transfer who previously played at Jones County Junior College in Ellisville, Mississippi following a season at LSU, averaged 4.2 points and 2.7 rebounds in 12.4 minutes in nine games.
Iowa beats Iowa State: Luka Garza had 21 points and 11 rebounds and led five Iowa players scoring in double figures as the Hawkeyes beat Iowa State 84-68 on Thursday night.
Iowa (8-3) snapped an eight-game losing streak at Hilton Coliseum. The Hawkeyes hadn’t won in the Cyclones’ home since a victory in the 2003 NIT.
Joe Wieskamp had 13 points, Jordan Bohannon and Connor McCaffery each scored 12, and CJ Fredrick added 11.
Tyrese Haliburton led Iowa State (6-4) with 22 points.
Solomon Young had 10.
Iowa opened the game on an 18-4 run and led 37-16 with 3:01 left before the break after a Garza dunk.