By BILL HAISTEN Sports Writer on Aug 23, 2012, at 3:31 PM Updated on 8/23 at 3:31 PM
TU SPORTS
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Some transfers don’t accomplish much more than to occupy a line on the roster. Occasionally, though, a transfer packs a punch and changes a team.
For the University of Tulsa basketball program, guard Cedrick McAfee ultimately may qualify as an impact transfer.
Having transferred from Auburn – where he was dismissed by Tiger coach Tony Barbee in April – the 6-foot-3, 175-pound McAfee now is attending classes at TU. A two-time Tennessee All-State selection from Memphis’ Melrose High School, McAfee will be redshirted in 2012-13 and likely becomes a Golden Hurricane starter in 2013-14.
According to his Auburn bio, McAfee was recruited also by Memphis, South Carolina, Missouri, Arkansas, Miami (Fla.) and Florida International. He was a three-star recruit who was listed among Scout’s Top 100 prospects nationally, and in 2010 he scored 47 points during a LeBron James summer camp game in Cleveland, Ohio.
When Barbee expelled McAfee from the Tiger program, Auburn’s explanation was typical: “A violation of team policy.” TU coach Danny Manning says he researched McAfee’s situation at Auburn. Manning says there are no character concerns.
You have to presume that Manning and Hurricane athletic director Ross Parmley would not have accepted McAfee if there were any legitimately ugly baggage.
“Everybody makes bad decisions. We’ve all done it at some point,” Manning said. “Cedrick made a couple of bad decisions. We feel like he is a good kid. We don’t expect any problems out of him.”
Because of a stress fracture in his foot, McAfee played in only three games as an Auburn freshman. He will have at least three seasons of eligibility at TU. More likely, because McAfee’s 2011-12 season was so dramatically shortened by injury, the NCAA will allow him to have four seasons at Tulsa.
In effect, when the 2013-14 season begins, McAfee will be a 21-year-old freshman – a seasoned guy who may be an elite player in Conference USA.
“We’re just excited to have someone in our program who has the capability of really making a difference,” Manning said. “Cedrick will make our team better.”
-- Bill Haisten
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