The Morning Dish – Wednesday, August 4th
Iti on the Move?: Fueled by internet rumors, Charlotte head coach Bobby Lutz has announced that Charlotte center Martin Iti has been the focus of two junior colleges with regard to the Australian big man transferring. Lutz told the Charlotte Observer that he had received inquiries from Redlands (Oklahoma) Community College, and from Compton (California) Community College. The rumor indicated that Iti had already signed with Mesa (Arizona) Community College, which is coached by former NBA center Alton Lister. Lutz also dismissed any notion that Iti was not in good academic standing, and indicated that Iti is merely exploring his options. Even if he were to leave for a JC, he would be allowed to transfer back to any NCAA D-I program without losing a year of college eligibility. Iti, who withdrew from the NBA Draft in June, averaged 6 points and 4.9 rebounds as a freshman last season. He’s expected to return to Charlotte’s campus for the start of classes on August 23rd.
Longhorn Charged: Texas senior center Jason Klotz has been charged with misdemeanor assault after allegedly slapping and punching his girlfriend. Klotz, who turned himself in the day after a warrant was issued July 26th, was accused by his girlfriend, Mona Rhodes, who alleges that she and Klotz were quarrelling in his car on the night of July 3rd, and the argument led to blows. Klotz faces a Class A misdemeanor charge of assault with injury, punishable by up to a year in jail and a fine up to $4,000. Klotz averaged 7 points and 3.9 rebounds per contest last season.
Wildcat Charges Dropped: Kentucky junior guard Ravi Moss is out of legal hot water after having disorderly conduct charges against him and two others dropped yesterday. Moss, plus his father, Austin Moss, and former Kentucky football player George Massey Jr. were originally apprehended last fall at a high school football game, after Ravi was escorted from the stadium for loitering after twice being told to keep a particular hallway clear. His father and Massey protested to Hopkinsville Police officers, leading to all three men getting charged with disorderly conduct. Christian County District Court Judge Jim Adams ordered that the charges be dismissed with prejudice, which means that the charges cannot be brought up again. Moss, who averaged just over 6 minutes per game as a reserve, averaged 1.7 points and 1.2 rebounds per contest.
Highlanders Get Moore: UC-Riverside head coach John Masi announced the hiring of Bryant Moore as an assistant on the Highlander coaching staff. UCR is his first collegiate coaching position, as Moore previously was an assistant at Sheldon High School (Elk Grove, California) for the past four seasons, where he coached McDonalds All-American DeMarcus Nelson, the all-time leading scorer in the state of California. As a player, Moore started for two seasons for Texas Tech in the early 90’s, where he set a school record for 12 assists in a game against SMU. He also set single-season records for assists (179) and steals (55) his senior year. Moore also played for Mesa (Arizona) Community College. Moore replaces Darren French on the Highlander staff, who left to take a coaching position at Tyler (Texas) Junior College.
New Bulldog Assistant: The Citadel head coach Pat Dennis announced the hiring of Mike Summey as an assistant on his Bulldog coaching staff. Summey, who most recently was an assistant at D-II Queens University (Charlotte, North Carolina), will be relied upon to work with the Bulldog cadre of guards. Prior to working at Queens University, Summey was an assistant at Saint Francis in Pennsylvania for four seasons, and got his start on Herb Sendek’s North Carolina State staff as film coordinator. Summey replaces Earl Grant, who took an assistant coaching position at Winthrop.
UNH Hires Howell: Carl Howell has been hired as an assistant on the New Hampshire coaching staff, replacing Cory McClure, who is now an assistant at St. Bonaventure. Howell played collegiately at St. Joseph’s (Maine), where he was a three-time D-III All American, averaging 26.5 points and 9.6 rebounds per game his senior campaign. After college, Howell played professionally in Finland for two seasons, and also played one season with the Atlantic City franchise of the USBL. Howell joins his old assistant coach, Brent Cook, who coached Howell for his final two seasons at St. Joseph’s.
