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Post by Raider Country on Jun 19, 2006 7:11:56 GMT -5
Mensah done at Siena Guard, hoping to improve NBA chances, seeks transfer By PETE IORIZZO, Staff writer June 16, 2006 Kojo Mensah, expected to be Siena's top player in the coming season, will not return to the team, sources with knowledge of the situation said Thursday. The point guard asked to be released from his scholarship so he can transfer to another school. Though Siena has yet to grant the release, several sources confirmed Mensah will not play for Siena next year. "I'm disappointed in his decision," Siena coach Fran McCaffery said in a statement. "It's clear he's been misled by someone not looking out for his best interests. This is the unfortunate part of today's college basketball environment." McCaffery's comments appear to refer to Mensah's adviser and mentor, Norm Ostrin, a 69-year-old Brooklyn resident. Several sources said Ostrin is steering Mensah to Duquesne, an Atlantic 10 school, because he believes it offers Mensah more exposure and a better chance at playing the NBA. Mensah's close friend, Shawn James, recently transferred from Northeastern to Duquesne. James also has close ties to Ostrin. Reached on his cellphone, James said he had not spoken to Mensah about transferring, though he said the prospect of playing with his close friend excited him. He said he will not reach out to Mensah and ask him to transfer. "I wouldn't want to mess up a good thing he has going there," James said. Ostrin could not be reached for comment. Mensah did not return several messages left on his cellphone. So far, Siena appears reluctant to grant Mensah his release. Mensah can appeal to a board of Siena faculty members, who would serve as arbiters between Mensah and the athletic department. The most likely outcome of such an appeal would be a conditional release, which means Mensah can transfer, but not to certain schools, which Siena would chose. If Mensah transfers to another Division I school, NCAA rules mandate he sit out one season, though he can accept a scholarship and practice with his new team. If he transfers to a school on Siena's forbidden list, Mensah would have to pay his own way for a year and would not be allowed to practice. Mensah was Siena's second-leading scorer and rebounder this past season, averaging 16.6 points and 6.3 rebounds. With lone senior Antoine Jordan headed to the pros, Mensah, a junior-to-be, figured to lead the Saints. Instead, Siena likely will turn to either Kenny Hasbrouck or freshman Ronald Moore to run the point. Hasbrouck, who averaged 12.4 points last season, was the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Rookie of the Year. Siena also welcomes back senior forward Michael Haddix, who missed all of last season with an Achilles' injury. Siena struggled badly this past season when Mensah went to the bench because the 6-foot-1 Mensah possesses rare versatility. He was the only MAAC player to average at least 16 points, six rebounds and four assists. McCaffery remained upbeat about next year's team in his statement. "I'm excited about our team next year," he said. "We're bigger, deeper, more athletic and will without a doubt contend for a league championship." This marks the second consecutive off-season Siena has dealt with a significant player departure. After the 2004-05 season, Jack McClinton bolted to Miami, an Atlantic Coast Conference school. Iorizzo can be reached at 454-5425 or by e-mail at piorizzo@timesunion.com. www.timesunion.com/ASPStories/Story.asp?StoryID=492114&Category=SPORTS&LinkFrom=RSS
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Post by Raider Country on Jun 19, 2006 7:14:02 GMT -5
Mensah's call, right or wrong June 16, 2006 You can scratch your head until your scalp is raw and still not understand this one. It doesn't change Kojo Mensah's intention to transfer from Siena. Mensah's reason: He told Siena coaches he's asking to be released from his scholarship to increase his chances of playing in the NBA, according to a source knowledgeable about the conversation. Mensah wants to transfer to Duquesne, according to sources within Siena's athletic department. But because Siena suspects Duquesne of tampering, it is likely Mensah will ultimately receive a conditional release prohibiting him from accepting a scholarship there.Seems Duquesne coach Ron Everhart is friends with Mensah's adviser Norm Ostrin, who also "advises" Mensah's close friend Shawn James, who transferred from Northeastern to play for Everhart, who quit Northeastern to accept the Duquesne job on March 29. This is all intriguing and possibly unseemly. But it doesn't answer this: Why, Kojo? When reached on his cellphone by reporters, Mensah said he'd call back. We're still waiting. It's hard to believe Mensah thinks playing for a low-level Atlantic 10 school such as Duquesne would improve his chances of playing in the NBA. If that's why he's transferring, I'd advise him of this: He needs a wiser adviser. If you can play, you can play. Scouts will find you in the MAAC (Marist's Rik Smits did OK for himself) or the second division of the Bundesliga (Dirk Nowitzki stood out playing half a world away). The conference does not make the player. Josh Howard won the 2003 ACC Player of the Year Award and was bypassed 28 times before Dallas took him 29th in the NBA draft. If Mensah were to play in the A-10, he might benefit a bit by facing better competition. But if he's such an NBA prospect, why's he setting his sights on Duquesne, which won only three of 27 games this past season? Unless Mensah wants to reunite with his good buddy James. In which case why should Mensah duck public comment? Unless he's done something wrong. Unless Mensah didn't like Siena -- he was talked out of transferring along with Jack McClinton after Rob Lanier was fired last year. But a member of the coaching staff and a friend of Mensah's on the team both said that wasn't so. Mensah blossomed at Siena as a sophomore, stuffing box scores and playing 36 minutes per game. If he had stayed, he might have developed into one of Siena's finest all-time players and been beloved in the Capital Region, which wouldn't have hurt on job interviews if the NBA thing didn't work out. But it's his decision. We hope. If Mensah's calling the shots, then he should transfer if he chooses. College coaches leave teams to accept new jobs -- for better or worse -- as constantly as shoes squeak across gym floors. If McCaffery had left Siena after one season to coach Penn when his alma mater's coaching job opened in March, we would have been disappointed. We also would have understood. College basketball is a business, and players should act in their best interest just as coaches do. We shouldn't be angry with Mensah, or McCaffery for not re-recruiting Mensah. Mensah played hard and hurt, helping Siena achieve more this past season than anybody thought possible. He's doing what he thinks best. Even when that makes scant sense to the rest of us. Brian Ettkin can be reached at 454-5457 or by e-mail at bettkin@timesunion.com. www.timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?category=SPORTS&storyID=492093&BCCode=&newsdate=6/16/2006
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Post by Raider Country on Jun 19, 2006 7:17:10 GMT -5
Mensah made an unofficial visit to UNCW before he signed with Siena.
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Post by wsu97 on Jun 19, 2006 14:08:56 GMT -5
He doesn't sound like a very good fit for us. Coach Brownell's teams are very team oriented. They don't have too many "star" players on them. Mensah is looking for a bigger program where he can get more exposure for the NBA.
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Post by Raiderfan on Jun 19, 2006 15:00:30 GMT -5
With 2 scholarships to give now that Walt is gone I'd love to see us add another transfer.
Mensah sounds almost to good to be true.
What conference is Siena in and what was the conference RPI last season?
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Post by Big D on Jun 19, 2006 15:24:50 GMT -5
Siena is in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference. The MAAC finished 14th in the RPI. The HL finished 15th. Siena finished the year 15-13 with an RPI of 125.
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Post by Raider Country on Jun 22, 2006 20:18:46 GMT -5
Siena star Mensah says Duquesne hasn't contacted himBy ALAN ROBINSON The Associated Press PITTSBURGH - Siena College basketball star Kojo Mensah denied Saturday that he has been contacted by Duquesne University about transferring there and said he hasn't decided which school he will attend this fall. Mensah was one of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference's top players last season, averaging 16.6 points, 6.3 rebounds and 3.8 assists on a 15-13 team. But the 6-foot-1 guard wants to transfer to a higher-profile program to improve his chances of playing pro basketball. "It's a decision I've thought about for a long time," Mensah told The Associated Press. "I've talked it over with my parents, and they also felt the same way. My dad's a big sports guy, and he'd like to see me play in front of bigger crowds and on TV." Mensah hasn't decided on a school, and won't begin making up his mind until Siena releases him from his scholarship. A number of major college programs are believed to be interested in him. Mensah initially considered transferring last year when former coach Rob Lanier was fired and replaced by Fran McCaffery, so, Mensah said, "This shouldn't be a surprise to anyone." When Mensah asked for his release, McCaffery said "It's clear he's been misled by someone not looking out for his best interests. This is the unfortunate part of today's college basketball environment." Mensah, who grew up in Brooklyn, is a close friend of 6-10 former Northeastern star Shawn James, who will sit out the upcoming season so he can transfer to Duquesne. Coach Ron Everhart left Northeastern for the Duquesne job in late March. James denied Saturday that he has tried to persuade Mensah into following him to Duquesne, an Atlantic 10 school that has undergone a nearly top-to-bottom overhaul since Everhart arrived, adding 10 new players. "Kojo is a grown man, 21 years old, and nobody's going to tell Kojo to do anything he doesn't want to do," James said. "He'll do what his heart tells him to do. He would like a little more exposure, to play in a higher conference - the same reasons I wanted to leave - but I haven't spoken to him about any other schools, not at all." Mensah said he and James have joked about how much fun it would be if the one-time AUU teammates could play together on the same college team. But Mensah said James has never tried to influence where he might go. "That's not what I'm basing my decision on," Mensah said. "I just want a chance to get more exposure - I'd like to play on TV. On Siena, it was like we never played on TV." Everhart said he couldn't talk about any player not in his own program. "It's simply inappropriate to comment on a player who's enrolled in another university, and I won't do that," said Everhart, who has accepted only two transfers in 12 seasons at McNeese State and Northeastern. Siena has the option of not releasing Mensah, which would force him to pay his way for one year to the school he chooses. Siena could also grant him a conditional release, which would prohibit him from accepting a scholarship at certain schools it designates. Mensah could also leave Siena, enroll at a junior college, then transfer to any school for the 2006-07 season. This is the second time in as many seasons Siena has lost a key player. Last year, guard Jack McClinton transferred to Miami of the ACC after averaging 13.6 points in his only season at Siena. www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/103-06172006-671828.html
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Post by Fastbreak on Jun 22, 2006 20:29:31 GMT -5
Mensah hasn't decided on a school, and won't begin making up his mind until Siena releases him from his scholarship. A number of major college programs are believed to be interested in him. "That's not what I'm basing my decision on," Mensah said. "I just want a chance to get more exposure - I'd like to play on TV. On Siena, it was like we never played on TV." He wants to play for a major college where he will get more exposure. Several majors are interested in him. I doubt WSU in in the picture at all.
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Post by Class of '83 on Jun 24, 2006 9:13:08 GMT -5
I've heard we are still looking at a transfer, but this isn't the guy.
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Post by Raider Country on Jul 9, 2006 19:48:02 GMT -5
I want YOU to let Mensah walk Kojo's camp enlists cinematic tough guy By PETE IORIZZO, Staff writer Tuesday, June 27, 2006 Playing the foul-tempered, swear- spewing Sgt. Emil Foley in the movie "An Officer and a Gentleman,'' actor Louis Gossett Jr. barked at an aspiring Navy pilot who crossed him the wrong way, "I'll rip your eyeballs out the sockets!'' Look out, Siena athletic director John D'Argenio. You might be next. D'Argenio said Monday he refuses to release men's basketball player Kojo Mensah from his scholarship. That means, pending an appeal, the star point guard can transfer to another Division I college only if he pays his own tuition for a year. The decision stunned and angered those in the Mensah camp, including his adviser, 70-year-old Brooklyn resident Norm Ostrin. After hearing the news, Ostrin turned to Gossett for support. Gossett did, after all, win an Academy Award for his supporting role in "An Officer and a Gentleman" (1982). "If we uncover that there's some thing scandalous going on, I can help because of my notoriety," Gossett said in a phone interview from Los Angeles. "I can call directly to Bryant Gumbel, Bob Costas and Ahmad Rashad." Siena also suspects scandalous activity or something close to it. D'Argenio said he believes Mensah wants out because he received some bad advice. "When we sat down and looked at everything, did our due diligence and research, I didn't feel comfort able that his decision was made in a clear environment," D'Argenio said. "I didn't feel that there wasn't something else going on to influence his decision." Though D'Argenio didn't use the adviser's name, he appears to be referring to Ostrin, who has been Mensah's mentor since Mensah was in high school. Ostrin played basketball with Gossett, 70, at Brooklyn's Lincoln High in the 1950s. Gossett joked that Ostrin, a guard, never passed him the ball. He referred to Ostrin as "my hero." Gossett said he wants to hear all the facts before deciding whether and how to help Mensah. If Gossett decides to take up Mensah's cause, he will do so through his year-old Eracism Foundation. Gossett defined the foundation's mission as, "salvation for the planet." "I'm doing this to help Norm," Gossett said. Speculation around Siena is that Ostrin is steering Mensah toward Duquesne, where Mensah's close friend, Shawn James, formerly of Northeastern, recently transferred. James also is mentored by Ostrin. Gossett asked a reporter if Mensah intended to transfer to Duquesne, then said, "I have a feeling there's going to be a (scholarship) waiting for him at Duquesne." D'Argenio said Siena does not plan to pursue tampering charges against Duquesne, whose coach, Ron Everhart, has declined comment. Ostrin denied telling Mensah to leave Siena. "I had nothing to do with it," said Ostrin, who noted that he was named Brooklyn Man of the Year by Brooklyn USA Basketball, Inc. "I mentor kids, and my reputation is impeccable." Ostrin's attorney, Michael Rosen blatt, defended Ostrin's reputation and threatened legal action against a reporter if Ostrin's intentions were misrepresented. "(Norm) gives guidance to inner- city children," Rosenblatt said. "He gives time and his heart." Mensah has declined comment since he first asked for his release June15. He did not return a message left Monday on his cellphone. Last week, Mensah told The Associated Press that he wants to transfer to improve his chances of reach ing the NBA. In an earlier report on the Fox Sports Web site, Mensah denied that Ostrin influenced his decision. Mensah, who was second on Siena in scoring (16.6 points a game) and rebounding (6.3) this past season, can appeal the school's decision through a committee of Siena faculty members. The committee, chaired by Paul Dwyer, an associate professor of accounting and business law, would serve as an arbitrator between Mensah and the athletic department. One possible outcome of an appeal is a conditional release, which would allow Mensah to transfer but not to certain schools Siena designates. Other schools in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference and Duquesne almost certainly would be on Siena's list. Without a release, Mensah has few options. He can return to Siena this year on scholarship, but D'Argenio said he would not be welcomed to play for the basketball team. He can transfer to a junior college and play next year. Or if he transfers to a Division I school, for the first year he has to pay his own way and cannot practice with the team. Siena coach Fran McCaffery declined comment Monday. In a statement released when Mensah first gave notice of his intent to transfer, McCaffery said, "It's clear (Mensah) has been misled by some one not looking out for his best interest." Pete Iorizzo timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=495123&category=SPORTS&BCCode=&newsdate=6/27/2006&TextPage=1
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Post by Raider Country on Jul 9, 2006 19:52:46 GMT -5
Mackin backs AD on Mensah Siena president indicates no deals will be negotiated By PETE IORIZZO, Staff writer Friday, July 7, 2006 The attorney for Kojo Mensah never spoke with Siena's president Thursday, as he had hoped. But it made no difference, because the Rev. Kevin Mackin said he had no intention of giving Mensah what he wants. Mackin said Thursday he supports athletic director John D'Argenio in his decision to not renew Mensah's basketball scholarship. Mackin said he also agreed that Mensah, who as a sophomore last season was second on the team in scoring and rebounding, should not be allowed to seek a scholarship at another Division I school. "We don't want a player coming here and using Siena as a stepping stone to another conference," Mackin said. "I'm disappointed, not so much in Kojo but in his advisers. I don't think they're giving him good advice. It's unfortunate for Kojo." Mackin is referring to 69-year-old Manhattan resident Norm Ostrin, who Mensah describes as his mentor. Siena believes Ostrin is steering Mensah to Duquesne, an assertion Ostrin denies. At this point, Mensah has two options: He can appeal D'Argenio's refusal to release him through a committee of Siena faculty members, or he can transfer to another school and pay tuition for a year. The only way Mensah can talk to another school about a scholarship is if that school receives a release form from Siena. Mensah is seeking an unconditional release that allows him to talk with any school. Mensah's attorney, Michael Rosenblatt, said he will go through the appeals process if his efforts to broker a deal through D'Argenio or Mackin fail. Rosenblatt said Thursday he has not yet arranged a time with the committee for Mensah to present his appeal, but he hopes to do that soon. "Kojo is entitled (to) his release," Rosenblatt said. "What Kojo is going through is a tragedy." Mackin indicated he has no intention of negotiating a deal with Rosenblatt. "We have a process," Mackin said. "Kojo has to follow the process." Pete Iorizzo www.timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=497692
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Post by Wolf on Jul 10, 2006 8:09:22 GMT -5
I've heard we are still looking at a transfer, but this isn't the guy. That is what I have heard too.
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Post by Raiderdog on Jul 10, 2006 12:44:07 GMT -5
I've heard we are still looking at a transfer, but this isn't the guy. That is what I have heard too. I also don't think this is the guy. I'm almost sure of it........
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Post by Class of '83 on Jul 25, 2006 18:02:44 GMT -5
another potential transfer....................... Tilford leaves CincinnatiPosted: Tuesday July 25, 2006 CINCINNATI (AP) -- Guard Domonic Tilford, a former Kentucky Mr. Basketball star, is leaving Cincinnati after playing sparingly as a freshman. Tilford appeared in 22 of the Bearcats' 34 games last season, averaging 2.4 points and 7 minutes per game, tied for 10th on the roster. He will have to sit out one season before playing for another school. "I feel I need a change and a year to sit out and develop, so I have decided to seek transfer to another Division I school," Tilford said in a statement released Tuesday. Tilford was honored as Kentucky's top prep player after his senior season at Jeffersontown High School in Louisville. He averaged 20.4 points per game that season and led Jeffersontown to the state tournament title game. sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/basketball/ncaa/07/25/bc.bkc.cincinnati.tilford.ap/index.html
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Post by Deleted on Jul 25, 2006 23:29:32 GMT -5
i'm lost as to where the WSU connection is.
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