We reported earlier this year that former Penn basketball player Harrison Gaines decided to transfer to a new school. He later cited his relationship with coach Glen Miller as his specific reason for transferring.
Now we know where Gaines will finish his college basketball career. Jim Wooldridge, the head basketball coach at the University of California-Riverside, confirmed today that Gaines has chosen Cal-Riverside as his new school. Wooldridge would not comment on the process of Gaines' transfer or his feelings on Gaines as a player, but indicated that the school's close proximity to Gaines' hometown of Victorville, Calif., was a major factor in his decision.
His decision comes as a bit of a surprise considering Gaines' initial indication that he wanted to choose a school with strong academics. Cal-Riverside ranked No. 89 on the 2009 US News and World Report college rankings. So it seems that basketball was more important than academics for Gaines. The Highlanders' hoopsters finished with a 17-13 record in 2009 playing in the Big West conference. Their top distributors were guards Javon Borum and Sean Cunningham, who averaged 2.7 and 2.4 assists per game, respectively. Both were juniors and will graduate before Gaines is eligible to play, so his desire to be a lead guard seems likely to come to fruition.
I have sought an interview with Gaines himself and will post his comments as soon as I can.
Tags: basketball, harrison gaines
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June 18th, 2009 at 12:11 pm
I find it a bit callous of you to denigrate UC-Riverside's academics. What do you know about their offerings, programs, and disciplines.
Sure, its not Penn. After all - what is?
June 18th, 2009 at 10:55 pm
when the hell is someone on the DP or with "the buzz" gonna get off his excuse-ridden *ss, show some reportial resourcefulness and do justice to the accomplishments of probably (and i'm not being hyperbolic) the greatest player in Penn basketball history, Ibby Jaaber?
Jaaber has distinguished himself as one of the best guards playing in Europe; this past season he outclassed impending NBA lottery pick Brandon Jennings, his teammate who, by virtue of his (Jaaber's) stellar play, he relegated all season to limited action from the bench. (No offense to Jennings, whose talent is indisputable.)
it's pretty lame that it's been left to alums like me to have to browbeat current Penn sportswriters to show some interest in a recent grad whose baskeball visibility and reputation, internationally, have taken quantum leaps this year?
what the hell are you guys waiting for? Jaaber's not on Pluto, for Christsakes. are you waiting for him to retire? he's 25!! here's a suggestion, fellas...how bout one of you agrees to "step up," show some journalistic initiative and do a decent story on one of yours?
oh, I forgot, it's the summer...another good excuse.
June 19th, 2009 at 8:53 pm
The above post is falsely attributed to me. FOJL, I thought we had an understanding. DP, you know what to do.
June 19th, 2009 at 10:33 pm
Could someone PLEASE explain to me what the deal is with this Jon Lubin?
June 20th, 2009 at 2:07 am
There is no deal. I'm a Penn alum, and a big fan of Penn athletics. One or more people regularly post on this site under my name (or referring to my name) without my explicit permission.
June 20th, 2009 at 7:13 pm
So what does "Without my explicit permission" really mean?
Are you a sort of public figure? Now I am just as confused.
Yet Another Jon Lubin (aka YAJL)
June 22nd, 2009 at 3:06 pm
Yes, Eddie. We are dealing, I'm afraid, with "dissociative identity disorder." It seems that Jon Lubin has a number of "multiples" that are angling for power. An intervention is needed--hospitalization, perhaps, or at a minimum intensive psychotherapy with an expert in this area.
In the meantime, I am disappointed, but not at all surprised, that none of "the buzz's" bloggers responded to my shout-out post about the shameful lack of a substantive Ibby Jaaber story.
What a joke. Rosenstein? Klitzman? How do you guys look yourselves in the sports journalistic mirror? The NBA draft's fast upon us, Brandon Jennings is about to make headlines, and you guys haven't done a single worthwhile piece on Jaaber's European stature (and NBA aspirations)?
C'mon. I give up.
June 22nd, 2009 at 10:14 pm
I must make it official...Noah Rosenstein is the man...I have his back henceforth through eternity. He is a standup dude.
July 7th, 2009 at 9:48 am
it’s pretty lame that it’s been left to alums like me to have to browbeat PowerBall current Penn sportswriters to show some interest in a recent grad whose baskeball visibility and reputation, internationally, have taken quantum leaps this year?