Godfrey cleared to play for U of M
Power forward ‘rebounds well’
Hard-nosed, powerful and loves to rebound.
That’s University of Memphis coach Josh Pastner’s description of Southern University transfer Calvin Godfrey, a 6-8, 233-pound senior forward who was cleared Thursday by the NCAA to play this season for the Tigers.
“I believe two things translate at any level — shooting and rebounding, and he rebounds well. He’s 23. He’s an older guy. He knows what he’s gotta do,” Pastner said of Godfrey, the 2014 Southwestern Athletic Conference Newcomer of the Year at Southern last season and an All-SWAC first-team performer.
Memphis had submitted a waiver request to the NCAA on behalf of Godfrey, who was expected to be granted immediate eligibility as a transfer due to Southern’s academic progress rate issues. The Jaguars are ineligible for postseason play because they didn’t meet NCAA APR requirements.
Godfrey, who averaged 13.1 points and 8.8 rebounds
last season, will add quality depth at the post position behind returning starters Shaq Goodwin and Austin Nichols.
The Milwaukee native began his career at Iowa State in 2010, averaging 5.7 points and 5.4 rebounds as a freshman before being dismissedfromthe school after an arrest for marijuana possession. He then transferred to Howard College in Big Spring, Texas, where he averaged 12.6 points and seven boards as a sophomore.
Godfrey signed with LSU in spring 2012, but he failed to meet academic requirements. He then transferred to Southern, where, after sitting out the 2012-13 season, he ranked second in the SWAC last year in rebounding and third in blocked shots (1.6 per game).
“He stubbed his toe early in his college career, but he understands that he inherits a great privilege and he wants to take full advantage of the opportunity,” Pastner said. “He knows our standards and our principles here, and we’re excited to have him.”
Godfrey will have one year of eligibility at Memphis, which is hoping that Vanderbilt transfer guard Kedren Johnson will also be granted a waiver by the NCAA to play this season.
As of Thursday, Memphis was in the “final stage” of assembling its waiver request on behalf of Johnson, U of M assistant athletic director for compliance Jason Gray said.
Johnson, a 6-4 point guard, averaged 13.5 points, 3.5 rebounds and 3.6 assists asasophomoreatVanderbilt in2012-13. Hesatoutlastseason after he was suspended as a student from Vanderbilt for violating a nonacademic university policy.
Godfrey and Johnson have participated in individual workouts with Memphis since last week because they have met NCAA academic requirements.