By Robbie Neiswanger
Arkansas News Bureau • rneiswanger@arkansasnews.com
FAYETTEVILLE — The departure of two players and the eligibility concerns of one signee means new Arkansas coach Mike Anderson will likely be working with a short-handed roster for the 2011-12 season.
Will the Razorbacks play without their leading scorer, too?
Arkansas guard Rotnei Clarke reportedly asked to be released from his scholarship, according to Shawn Arnell, co-host of the “Shawn and Wally” radio show. Arkansas said Thursday it would not comment on the report and that athletic director Jeff Long and Jon Fagg, the program’s associate athletic director for compliance, were out of town.
Any request for a release had not been granted as of Thursday.
Clarke could not be reached for comment about the report. His father, Conley Clarke, did not return messages seeking comment either on Thursday.
But when asked in a phone interview Wednesday night if his son was transferring, Conley Clarke said “not really.” Conley Clarke then said he had to go, but would answer questions later. He has not returned messages left by the Arkansas News Bureau since.
Clarke, regarded as one of the nation’s top 3-point shooters, averaged a team-high 15.2 points last season. He has started in 91 of 92 games played during his Arkansas career, averaging 14.2 points.
The Oklahoma native holds the school’s single-game record for points after netting 51 in the 2009-10 season opener against Alcorn State. Clarke also set the school’s record for 3-pointers made in that game as well, knocking down 13 in the victory.
Clarke asked for a release from his scholarship after former coach John Pelphrey was fired in March. Long said at the time he would not even consider the request until Clarke had met with Arkansas’ new coach.
“Once Rotnei has that chance and they meet, I will consider a release at that time,” Long said on March 26. “I did not say I would give a release. I said I would consider a release.”
Anderson said more than a month later his individual meeting with Clarke went well and the guard was on board as Arkansas prepared for 2011-12.
“When you have a coaching change there’s a lot of questions that go in your mind,” Anderson said on April 28. “Sometimes it can be like your whole world is uprooted. Who is this guy coming in here? How much do I know about this guy? How do I fit in?
“It’s his senior year and he wants to have a special year. I assured him that he obviously is important in what we’re doing.”
Losing Clarke would be a critical blow to the Razorbacks’ plans for the 2011-12 season.
Arkansas already is short-handed after forward Glenn Bryant and guard Jeff Peterson left the program in the past two weeks. In addition, signee Aaron Ross’ eligibility is in question as he waits for results of the ACT test he took last Saturday.
If Clarke did transfer it would leave Arkansas with six returning scholarship players. The Razorbacks also have four signees set to join the group for 2011-12.
Bryant Finds New Home
Bryant said his reason for transferring earlier this month was the opportunity to be closer to his hometown of Detroit. He accomplished it Thursday, when Eastern Michigan coach Rob Murphy announced the forward was joining the program.
Bryant must sit out the 2011-12 season because of NCAA transfer rules, but will have two years of eligibility remaining beginning in 2012-13. Bryant left Arkansas after averaging 3.4 points and 2.7 rebounds a game during his two-year career.
“My time spent as a Razorback was a great learning experience for me, both on and off the court, but I really wanted to get closer to home,” Bryant said in a press release. “Eastern Michigan seemed like a good fit for me. I am very excited to be back home to play in front of my family and friends and to be part of Coach Murphy’s program. I am looking forward to finishing my career at Eastern Michigan.”
