U of M waiting for Iverson, Powell to meet academic requirements
While four of the University of Memphis’ six would-be freshman basketball players are on campus and participating in summer workouts, it could be August before the Tigers know whether Kuran Iverson and Pookie Powell will be eligible this season.
Iverson , a 6 - 9, 210-pound wing from Windsor, Conn., and Powell, a 6-1, 160-pound point guard from Orlando, Fla., have yet to meet NCAA academic requirements. Coach Josh Pastner said Saturday he remains optimistic that both players will qualify but said the process is likely to stretch through the summer.
“There’s a slight chance to get them here for Summer 2 (which begins July 9), but the probability would be that it’s going to be a full summer situation, sort of like (sophomore forward) Damien Wilson last summer,” Pastner said. “That’s OK. The NCAA allows some extra courses throughout the summer and other opportunities to increase the sliding scale area.”
The NCAA’s Initial Eligibility Sliding Scale combines Division 1 student-athletes’ grade-point average with their ACT or SAT scores. If a studentathlete has a below-average GPA, he/she can make up for it with a high ACT or SAT score, and vice versa. The scale gives studentathletes some wiggle room in meeting NCAA academic requirements.
“They’re doing everything they can, but it’s a great lesson for everybody,” Pastner said. “I tell kids all the time, ‘What you do (starting) your freshman year in high school, every class counts. It just doesn’t happen your senior year. The way it’s set up, every single class that you take matters.’
“I have tremendous belief and optimism that they’ll both be here. Whether they’re here for Summer 2, I just want to get them here for the start of the fall. Will they be a little behind? No doubt. But we’ll be able to catch ’em up. They just gotta get here.”
With Memphis returning three senior guards who can play the point in Joe Jackson, Chris Crawford and Geron Johnson, and possibly another in Missouri transfer Michael Dixon, who still must granted a waiver by the NCAA, Powell probably wouldn’t see extended minutes this season if he qualifies.
Iverson is a different story. The consensus top35 recruit would likely compete for immediate playing time on the wing with Wilson and freshman swingman Nick King.
GARDNER READY TO BEGIN WORK
New Memphis assistant Jason Gardner arrived in Memphis on Saturday after his hiring was approved by the Tennessee Board of Regents on Friday.
Gardner, an All-American at Arizona and one of four Wildcats players to have his jersey retired, said he’s looking forward to working in a Memphis community that “lives” for Tiger basketball.
“I’m extremely excited,” said Gardner, who spent the last two seasons as an assistant at Loyola University of Chicago and will specialize in player development at Memphis.
“Working for coach Pastner, he’s young in the profession and he’s doing a phenomenal job. He’s already over 100 wins (in four seasons) and he’s getting great talent. He’s a great guy to learn from. I hear so much about the city as far as the love and the excitement they give you. I just think that’s a great feeling that you have all that support behind you.”
OPEN HOUSE SET
The U of M Tiger Scholarship Fund is hosting a seat selection open house Sunday and Monday at FedExForum for fans interested in purchasing men’s basketball season tickets for 2013-14.
Sunday’s open house, slated for 2- 6 p.m., is open to TSF donors by level. The Monday open house is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and includes a 3-5 p.m. slot for all individuals looking for season tickets in donation sections. Donations range from $25-$260 for Terrace Level seats and $775-$2,625 for Club and Plaza Level seats.
The Tigers’ 2013-14 home schedule includes American Athletic Conference games against Louisville, Cincinnati, UConn and Temple as well as a nonconference game in February against Gonzaga.