Tuesday, May 25, 2004
AU signs a 3, Fingleton was Never Meant to Be
While things may be slow out there in PL land, there have been a few interesting moves lately.
American picked up 6'5" Travis Lay from Bethesda, MD. You can read more about him here. He was apparently getting interest from W&M (from whom Jeff Jones stole Andre Ingram), Ball State, Pennsylvania, and others. This is in addition to Coleman LeClair, the 6'9" player from Brewster Academy.
Fingleton Bails
The other roster move is that Neil Fingleton is transferring to Professor X's academy for Gifted Students and is leaving Holy Cross. What does this mean for the team? Not a damn thing. The guy was all but useless on the court, despite what some delusional HC fans may have told you. Here's the story:
SUNDAY TELEGRAM (Massachusetts)
May 23, 2004 Sunday, ALL EDITIONS
SECTION: SPORTS; Pg. D2
Fingleton won't play again for Holy Cross;
7-foot-6 British native will get his degree
Jennifer Toland; TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF
DATELINE: WORCESTER
- Neil Fingleton will finish course requirements for his degree this summer and forego his final year of eligibility with the Holy Cross men's basketball team.
''I had a good time at Holy Cross,'' Fingleton said last night. ''I'll be getting a great degree from a great school and it's something I'll have for the rest of my life. I promised my mom I would get my degree, so that was the main thing.''
After Fingleton completes two summer courses at Clark University and receives his bachelor's degree in history from HC, he will return home to Durham, England. He eventually hopes to play professionally. In late July, he plans to attend a two-week tryout camp in Greece.
Fingleton said he started thinking about finishing school early around Christmas time. It was at that time he reinjured his back and learned his father was ill. Fingleton went home to England following first-semester exams in December to be with his father. He had planned to be away from the team for an indefinite amount of time, but returned two weeks later.
''(His graduating early) is something Coach (Ralph) Willard and I have been discussing with Neil since early in the year, and we understand and support his decision,'' Holy Cross director of athletics Dick Regan said. ''He's a great kid, and I hope things work out well for him.''
The 7-foot-6 Fingleton, the tallest player in Holy Cross history, appeared in 33 games for the Crusaders over the last two seasons after transferring from North Carolina in January 2002.
Fingleton averaged 2.9 points and 1.6 rebounds in 21 games during the 2002-03 season. Willard said before the 2003-04 season that Fingleton had made progress in his game during the offseason and preseason, but shoulder, ankle and back injuries, as well as a bout with the flu, limited Fingleton to 12 games. He averaged 2.3 points and 1.8 rebounds, and didn't play in HC's last 10 games.
''Basketball was a little disappointing,'' Fingleton said. ''My first year I played behind Patrick Whearty, who had a great year, and then last year when I was getting ready for a good year myself, I got hurt. But you can't look back.''
As for the scholarship that becomes available with Fingleton's departure, Regan said, ''In all likelihood, we will be with one less player, but there's always the possibility of getting a transfer. At this point, it's almost too late to bring in a freshman.''
Fingleton came to the United States by himself when he was 16 and played for J.P. Ricciardi at Holy Name High for three years. Fingleton lived in Worcester with Phil and Meg Giarusso, friends of Ricciardi. Fingleton took on almost icon status while in high school and brought national attention to Holy Name when he was named a McDonald's All-American.
Holy Cross was one of Fingleton's original suitors when he was coming out of Holy Name, but he opted to go to North Carolina.
Following back surgery in the summer of 2000, Fingleton red-shirted his freshman year at UNC. He played in one game for the Tar Heels the following season. It was clear from the beginning that Fingleton, who was recruited by former North Carolina coach Bill Guthridge, wasn't in the plans of Matt Doherty, who succeeded Guthridge.
Coming back to Worcester, which became his adopted hometown, seemed the natural option when Fingleton decided to leave North Carolina. He developed many close friendships in the area while in high school, as well as the support of a large group of fans. He continued to be a spectacle and fan favorite in the few games he played at the Hart Center.
Fingleton is currently living with best friend and former Holy Name teammate Dave McNamara, who recently finished up a fine career at Clark.
''I met a ton of great people in Worcester,'' Fingleton said. ''I have so many friends here. It's been really excellent.''
GRAPHIC: PHOTO; FILE PHOTO ; Neil Fingleton will no longer be defending the lane for the Holy Cross basketball team. @ 1:51 PM
While things may be slow out there in PL land, there have been a few interesting moves lately.
American picked up 6'5" Travis Lay from Bethesda, MD. You can read more about him here. He was apparently getting interest from W&M (from whom Jeff Jones stole Andre Ingram), Ball State, Pennsylvania, and others. This is in addition to Coleman LeClair, the 6'9" player from Brewster Academy.
Fingleton Bails
The other roster move is that Neil Fingleton is transferring to Professor X's academy for Gifted Students and is leaving Holy Cross. What does this mean for the team? Not a damn thing. The guy was all but useless on the court, despite what some delusional HC fans may have told you. Here's the story:
SUNDAY TELEGRAM (Massachusetts)
May 23, 2004 Sunday, ALL EDITIONS
SECTION: SPORTS; Pg. D2
Fingleton won't play again for Holy Cross;
7-foot-6 British native will get his degree
Jennifer Toland; TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF
DATELINE: WORCESTER
- Neil Fingleton will finish course requirements for his degree this summer and forego his final year of eligibility with the Holy Cross men's basketball team.
''I had a good time at Holy Cross,'' Fingleton said last night. ''I'll be getting a great degree from a great school and it's something I'll have for the rest of my life. I promised my mom I would get my degree, so that was the main thing.''
After Fingleton completes two summer courses at Clark University and receives his bachelor's degree in history from HC, he will return home to Durham, England. He eventually hopes to play professionally. In late July, he plans to attend a two-week tryout camp in Greece.
Fingleton said he started thinking about finishing school early around Christmas time. It was at that time he reinjured his back and learned his father was ill. Fingleton went home to England following first-semester exams in December to be with his father. He had planned to be away from the team for an indefinite amount of time, but returned two weeks later.
''(His graduating early) is something Coach (Ralph) Willard and I have been discussing with Neil since early in the year, and we understand and support his decision,'' Holy Cross director of athletics Dick Regan said. ''He's a great kid, and I hope things work out well for him.''
The 7-foot-6 Fingleton, the tallest player in Holy Cross history, appeared in 33 games for the Crusaders over the last two seasons after transferring from North Carolina in January 2002.
Fingleton averaged 2.9 points and 1.6 rebounds in 21 games during the 2002-03 season. Willard said before the 2003-04 season that Fingleton had made progress in his game during the offseason and preseason, but shoulder, ankle and back injuries, as well as a bout with the flu, limited Fingleton to 12 games. He averaged 2.3 points and 1.8 rebounds, and didn't play in HC's last 10 games.
''Basketball was a little disappointing,'' Fingleton said. ''My first year I played behind Patrick Whearty, who had a great year, and then last year when I was getting ready for a good year myself, I got hurt. But you can't look back.''
As for the scholarship that becomes available with Fingleton's departure, Regan said, ''In all likelihood, we will be with one less player, but there's always the possibility of getting a transfer. At this point, it's almost too late to bring in a freshman.''
Fingleton came to the United States by himself when he was 16 and played for J.P. Ricciardi at Holy Name High for three years. Fingleton lived in Worcester with Phil and Meg Giarusso, friends of Ricciardi. Fingleton took on almost icon status while in high school and brought national attention to Holy Name when he was named a McDonald's All-American.
Holy Cross was one of Fingleton's original suitors when he was coming out of Holy Name, but he opted to go to North Carolina.
Following back surgery in the summer of 2000, Fingleton red-shirted his freshman year at UNC. He played in one game for the Tar Heels the following season. It was clear from the beginning that Fingleton, who was recruited by former North Carolina coach Bill Guthridge, wasn't in the plans of Matt Doherty, who succeeded Guthridge.
Coming back to Worcester, which became his adopted hometown, seemed the natural option when Fingleton decided to leave North Carolina. He developed many close friendships in the area while in high school, as well as the support of a large group of fans. He continued to be a spectacle and fan favorite in the few games he played at the Hart Center.
Fingleton is currently living with best friend and former Holy Name teammate Dave McNamara, who recently finished up a fine career at Clark.
''I met a ton of great people in Worcester,'' Fingleton said. ''I have so many friends here. It's been really excellent.''
GRAPHIC: PHOTO; FILE PHOTO ; Neil Fingleton will no longer be defending the lane for the Holy Cross basketball team. @ 1:51 PM
