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Forward Espinosa leaving USF

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By BRETT McMURPHY | The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 15, 2009

TAMPA - Freshman forward Eladio Espinosa is transferring from the University of South Florida's men's basketball program.

The 6-foot-7, 220-pound Espinosa played in 31 games last season with 12 starts. He averaged 1.8 points and 2.9 rebounds last season, shooting 44 percent from the field and 44 percent from the free throw line.

"Me and Coach [Stan Heath] at the end, we had two different views on what type of player I'm going to develop into," Espinosa said. "We weren't on the same page.

"He was real cool with my situation. He told me if I was trying to leave, he wasn't trying to hold me back."

Espinosa said he had been considering transferring for some time, but USF would not release him unless he had a 2.6 GPA because it "would hurt the school's APR." Espinosa said he obtained a 2.6 GPA and is now waiting for athletic director Doug Woolard to sign off on the release.

Espinosa is the third scholarship player off last year's team with eligibility that won't return along with freshman guard Gaby Belardo, who transferred to Canisius, and junior guard Mike Mercer, who was dismissed from the team in January by Heath following Mercer's second arrest. The Bulls also lost three seniors – Jesus Verdejo, Aris Williams and B.J. Ajayi.

Espinosa said he was unsure where he would transfer, but would prefer to be closer to his home in North Carolina.

With Espinosa's departure, the Bulls have two scholarships available. One of those could be slotted for Kansas State transfer Ron Anderson, a 6-8 sophomore forward, who is considering USF among other schools.

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