Arsalan Kazemi leaving Rice

[Zob Ahan]

Rice star Arsalan Kazemi to transfer; has six schools in mind

By Jeff Goodman | College Basketball Insider

September 17, 2012 9:20 pm ET

• 9 | Comments
  

Kazemi has been one of the best players in C-USA the past two years. Now he's the latest to leave Rice. (US Presswire)

Rice star Arsalan Kazemi told CBSSports.com he is leaving the Owls and has a wish list of six schools.
Kazemi, a native of Iran who averaged 12.1 points and 10.3 rebounds last season, told CBSSports.com that he received his release Monday and has requested it be sent to the following six schools: Kentucky, Texas, Oregon, Ohio State, Florida and Cincinnati.
"I'm trying to go to a high-major program for my final season," Kazemi said. "Those are the schools I'm interested in, but I'll also consider other schools."
The 6-foot-7 senior becomes the latest to leave Ben Braun's program, joining Omar Oraby (USC), Dylan Ennis (Villanova), Jarelle Reischel (Rhode Island), David Chadwick (Valparaiso) and Ahmad Ibrahim (overseas).
But Kazemi's departure is a huge blow.
Kazemi averaged a double-double last season for the second consecutive year and helped Rice finish with a 19-6 overall mark and a 8-8 record in league play.
Tags: Arsalan Kazemi, Cincinnati Bearcats, Florida Gators, Kentucky Wildcats, Ohio State Buckeyes, Oregon Ducks, Rice Owls, Texas Longhorns, NCAAB

[Persian-Eagle-13]

I am not sure if this guy is getting the good advice, first he insisted on going to a small school cause wanted good education and playing time, and now wants to go to big school so he can pay with the big boys before the draft. He will now seat out a full year regardless of where he goes, at least at rice he could have kept playing full time. This could be a career killer for him.

[Fatso]

I am not sure if this guy is getting the good advice, first he insisted on going to a small school cause wanted good education and playing time, and now wants to go to big school so he can pay with the big boys before the draft. He will now seat out a full year regardless of where he goes, at least at rice he could have kept playing full time. This could be a career killer for him.

Are you sure about the sitting out a year part? There are exceptions.

[Persian-Eagle-13]

^^i am almost 100% sure he has to seat out full season before he can play for new university.

[Zob Ahan]

^^i am almost 100% sure he has to seat out full season before he can play for new university.

I think he got a waiver.

[Farsheed]

He is applying for a hardship waiver. If approved, he does not have to sit out a year

[Persian-Eagle-13]

^^that is news to me, i did not know such thing as a hard waiver existed. looks like it is still in the process of approval.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/201...rice-transfer/

[Farsi Zaban]

Something weird is happening to that program. 6 players don't suddenly leave a program for no reason at all.

[Shahin2000]

This will be news to me if he can get a hardship waiver. Usually, if a coach leaves then players can transfer to another school without sitting out a year. The best thing for Arsalan would be to go to a program where he can play at least 15 to 20 minutes a game. If he goes to UK, you can forget about it. He will be lucky if he gets 5 minutes a game. Oregon and OSU would be the best options for Arsalan.

[Zob Ahan]

I think he will end up in Oregon.

[Farsheed]

Based on what I've read on the internet, all the players are leaving, because a popular assistant coach, who was from Eygpst, and was active in recruiting all the international players, has left Rice.

[Zob Ahan]

I think he will end up in Oregon.

He will indeed:
http://www.registerguard.com/web/spo...ducks.html.csp

[mashdi]

I think he will end up in Oregon.

He will indeed:
http://www.registerguard.com/web/spo...ducks.html.csp

quack quack

[Zob Ahan]

quack quack

aflac

[Zob Ahan]

..





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Former Rice hoops star Arsalan Kazemi lands at Oregon
Rice basketball
September 25, 2012
By: Jeremy Shapiro




The Oregon basketball team just received an upgrade to their frontline, partly based on their school schedule.

When fall quarter classes began Monday, Arsalan Kazemi was in Eugene, presumably receiving his syllabus and ordering textbooks. The former Rice University star has transferred to Oregon.

Kazemi reportedly had also considered Texas, Kentucky, Ohio State, Florida and Cincinnati. All those schools had already begun the academic year.

The 6-foot-7, 220-pounder would have been one of the favorites this season for Conference USA Player of the Year. His role with the Owls was going to be even more important with five players leaving the program. Instead, he became departure No. 6.

“I decided to come to Oregon,” Kazemi told Fox 26 in Houston. “I think it was a situation for me, I had to a look at a lot of schools, and I think this was the best situation for me.”

The senior power forward intends to petition the NCAA for a hardship waiver to play in 2012-13 rather than sitting out a transfer year. If he does not get it, he plans to sit out the upcoming season and play in 2013-2014.

His rationale for asking for the wavier is unknown, just like his specific reason for leaving the Owls.

“I can’t give you details on that,” Kazemi said in the Fox interview “It’s a decision that I made.”

The first Iranian player to play D-I hoops, Kazemi averaged a double-double in both his sophomore (15 points, 11 rebounds) and junior (12 and 10) seasons. He has led the Owls in rebounding in 80 of his 95 career games, and also led Conference USA in steals last season.

Kazemi also plays for the Iranian national team. He averaged 12 points and 7.4 rebounds during the 2010 World Championships, including a game with 14 points and four rebounds against the United States team.

Rice went 19-16 last season and advanced to the quarterfinals of the CIT. Since then Coach Ben Braun and his staff have lost center Omar Oraby to USC, Dylan Ennis to Villanova, David Chadwick to Valparaiso and Jarelle Reischel to Rhode Island. Ahmad Ibrahim decided to turn professional and play overseas.

The Owls roster now has just four players returning from last season and nine players total. They open the 2012-2013 season Nov.10 against the University of St. Thomas.