TU's Jordan Clarkson released to contact other schools
BY ERIC BAILEY World Sports Writer
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
4/18/12 at 3:04 AM
Jordan Clarkson may have played his last game for the University of Tulsa.
The all-conference sophomore has asked for a release to transfer and athletic director Ross Parmley has granted permission to contact a limited number of schools.
The Tulsa World has learned that Clarkson was released to three schools - Colorado, Vanderbilt and TCU - out of eight submitted schools. Mike Clarkson said TU only released his son to two schools out of nine schools.
It is not known why Tulsa limited Clarkson's list to three schools. A source indicated that Clarkson, or a representative of Clarkson, may have contacted potential transfer destinations during the season. Mike Clarkson adamantly denied that.
Jordan Clarkson was unavailable for comment.
The San Antonio native's family issued a statement on March 12, one day after Doug Wojcik was fired, saying the coach's sudden removal came as a surprise and that they would "explore all available options with Jordan's best interests in mind."
Clarkson was the Golden Hurricane's leading scorer last season, averaging 16.5 points per game. He scored in double-figures in his last 28 games, the longest streak by any player in the conference.
Clarkson, a 6-4 guard, became Tulsa's youngest first-team all-conference selection since Shea Seals.
When reached by phone Tuesday night, Mike Clarkson talked about the reasons for his son's expected departure. He made sure, on more than one occasion, that the transfer request had nothing to do with new coach Danny Manning.
Mike Clarkson said the departures of key figures at TU - athletic director Bubba Cunningham, Wojcik, assistant coach David Cason - and outgoing President Steadman Upham played a large factor.
"With the changes, you don't know what's going to happen," Mike Clarkson said, adding again it was nothing against Manning. "All those individuals gave a great perception to the University of Tulsa and that it was a place that Jordan would feel at home and not worry about too many things as he tried to grow into a young adult."
The father said, after the March statement, Jordan Clarkson began feeling uncomfortable.
"The way the public sounded off on message boards and things like that, he can't be comfortable there...," Mike Clarkson said. "He has no family in Tulsa and no one to protect him - and I've always been someone that protects both of our sons - how do you feel comfortable if you choose to stay? What reason would you have to stay?"
Mike Clarkson said the family was going to ask for a release earlier but the TU administration wasn't going to release anyone until after a player had an opportunity to meet the new coach.
Speculation has linked Clarkson to Big 12 schools, including Texas. Clarkson must sit out one season regardless of what school he transfers to. If he goes to a school that Tulsa has released him to, he can immediately receive an athletic scholarship. If Clarkson attends a school not on Tulsa's list, he must attend school at his own cost.
The player has known ties to two of the schools that TU has granted permission to talk with. His best friend Andre Roberson plays at Colorado and ex-TU assistant Cason is on the Vanderbilt staff.
Original Print Headline: TU grants limited release to Clarkson
Eric Bailey 918-581-8391
eric.bailey@tulsaworld.com
Associated Images:
Jordan Clarkson: He was TU's leading scorer last year.
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