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JLFJR wrote:Thanks for your input, PA! Very helpful.
Bannister opts to transfer
Reserve point guard's minutes had fallen off due to injury
By Whitelaw Reid / Daily Progress staff writer
August 15, 2006
Virginia point guard T.J. Bannister had as frustrating a season as a basketball player could possibly have during the 2005-06 campaign.
Apparently, Bannister has decided it’s time for a fresh start.
On Monday, a source told The Daily Progress that the Jacksonsville, Fla. native has decided to transfer.
“I can’t comment on that at this time,” said Virginia coach Dave Leitao, when reached by telephone Monday evening.
Bannister played in just 16 of Virginia’s 30 games this season, averaging 2.1 points and 2.3 assists.
The 5-foot-11, 175-pounder, who would have been a senior, was in and out of the lineup with a nagging sports hernia injury for much of the year. When he was healthy enough to get on the court, his playing time was sporadic because of rustiness.
The loss of Bannister, who couldn’t be reached for comment, is a blow to Virginia. Although he was only being counted on for spot duty off the bench, Bannister was arguably the team’s only pure point guard; and his decision to leave comes so late in the summer that Virginia cannot use his scholarship on another player.
Without Bannister, returning All-ACC First-Team guard Sean Singletary has no proven backup.
Leitao will most likely give shooting guard J.R. Reynolds more minutes at the point. Reynolds grew more comfortable at that spot as the season wore on last year, and logged major minutes there for a college touring team from New York that played in the Bahamas this summer.
Incoming freshman Solomon Tat, who played some point guard in high school, is another possibility.
Calvin Baker, a transfer from William and Mary, is a legitimate point guard. However, he won’t be eligible until the 2007-08 season.
Bannister, who was recruited by former coach Pete Gillen, told The Daily Progress in February that he was unhappy with the fact he hadn’t taken a medical redshirt that would have given him another year of eligibility.
“I went in and talked to Coach about it,” Bannister said, “but when I did, he told me it was too late because I had already played [too many] games.”
Bannister is the fourth player to leave the program under Leitao’s watch. Swingman Gary Forbes transferred to UMass last August. Post players Donte Minter (Appalachian State) and Sam Warren (destination unknown) left during the season. All four were recruited by Gillen.
Bannister’s best season was in 2004-05 when he started the last 10 games and averaged 4.3 points and 3.7 assists. On Jan. 5 of that season he hit a jumper in the lane with just 2.7 seconds left to beat Western Kentucky.
DUNKS: Incoming freshman Solomon Tat, who battled visa problems before marrying his longtime girlfriend in the spring, has had his high school transcripts approved by the NCAA Clearinghouse. That’s good news for Wahoo Nation. The Nigerian has impressed teammates during pickup games this summer. “I don’t know how he does it, but he always gets [to the basket],” said junior forward Adrian Joseph said. “He’s strong when he finishes, so he can take the contact.”
TallyW wrote:I In addition (we can only hope) it brings a work ethic. As these guys come from other programs... they are able to be examples of what it's like at larger schools. Just some thoughts.that is something that dwight and alex brought with them last year. and like you said, people started to follow. alex was in the gym working on his game almost every night, and he also lost alot of fat and gained alot of muscle
I'm more in agreement about the JUCO's though... unless they are a Steve Francis...
El Scorcho wrote:post at your own risk.
Bannister, from Jacksonville, Fla., started a total of 21 games in his first two seasons but was limited to 13 games this past season after undergoing September surgery for a sports hernia...Virginia does not have another point guard on its roster.
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