Bulls freshman guard Curry to transfer

USF redshirt freshman guard Dante Curry, who has played sparingly in the Bulls' 4-3 start, has been granted permission to transfer, first-year USF coach Stan Heath said Friday.

Curry, who missed last season with a torn Achilles' tendon, had scored 12 points in six games, averaging 9.0 minutes off the bench. With Florida State transfer Aaron Holmes gaining his eligibility next month, Curry's playing time would have likely dropped off even more.

"Dante has informed me of his decision to transfer,” Heath said in a statement. “He wishes to find a place where he can play more. We will continue to support him academically as he goes through this transition process and wish him the best in his future endeavors.”

Curry's transfer will allow the Bulls another scholarship for Heath's first full recruiting class. USF already has signed forward Eladio Espinosa and gotten a major transfer in Georgia guard Mike Mercer. Junior college guard Lasha Parghalava is expected to sign with the Bulls as well, though his signing was delayed because he needs signatures from his parents, who still live in eastern Europe.

Comments

[Ari Hinkelberger]

I'm not trying to talk crap about a young kid, but I have never seen a basketball player look so lazy on the basketball court. He looks like he is just going through the motions out there. It is the oddest sight when he is on the court, considering his credintials coming out of high school.

Dominique Jones and Curry are like night and day.

You could see it from a mile away that Curry was not happy here. I have no idea where he goes with the numbers he has put up here. If you can't play at South Florida, where are you going to go?

[Dave W]

He'll end up at St. Leo or a very low D-1 school. Holmes will certainly take away the rest of the time he would've had.

At least he's leaving now and freeing up a scholarship- kind of like a do-over. So, with hindsight being 20-20, we really could use 2 big men.

[Jim]

Good for Heath now he can craft his type of program.

Its just odd considering he had awesome numbers coming out of high school..

Averaged like 23 points a game. I think he was even first team all state.

But first team all state isn't saying much in Florida for basketball.

[Ari Hinkelberger]

Pretty funny how one of USF's biggest b-ball recruits in 5-7 years is transfering and this thread gets 5 responses. Three of them are from me.

HA HA!

[Reality]

Saint Leo could use him. That would help in their everlasting quest to beat USF in that exhibition game to start the year. Without KG, next year could be the year.

Good Luck Dante. All State in Florida basketball is like getting all state kids from rhode island in football.

More 2 star kids that like to smoke pot and not go to class for Stan to recruit.

[Johnny]

gotta agree with Ari for once. Dominique (sp) Jones is a much better player than Curry.

BUT, also gotta say McCullum left us with some ok players, like Gransberry, Verdejo, Howard... wasn't Jones his last recruit?

[So you know]

You can down play a kid without knowing him...Also, if you take note, things change when a new coach comes in...It's always got to be a situation where the coach has the kids that he wants to fit his program and both player and coach has to make adjustments...I don't agree, if it's only about playing time...But I think it's a mature, respectful decision by the player and coach...Both have to be happy with what happens in the future either way it goes...

[USF Bull]

Hopefully, Amu Saaka and Aris Williams would follow in Dante Curry's footsteps. Both player's do not fit into coach Stan Heath's system. They would be better suited going elsewhere. This would be beneficial to the players and the program as it would free up some more scholarships. This would allow coach Heath to recruit players that fit is system and turn around USF basketball sooner rather than later.

[Ari Hinkelberger]

Very surprising how little playing time Saka gets now. He must have gotten 15-20 minutes last year. He plays very little this year.

One of the major personel changes I have noticed this season

[G.A.]

Ari's right. Saaka got 17.0 minutes per game last year, and he's getting 5.5 per game this season. He hasn't found a role in Heath's system: too small to be a power forward, but not showing enough to get minutes at the 2/3 spot. Again, with Aaron Holmes entering the mix in a few weeks, his minutes will only go down.

[G.A.]

Aris has already transferred once and only has one year of eligibility after this one, so his options are limited. Saaka hasn't taken his redshirt yet, so if he wanted to leave after this season, he'd still have his full two years of eligibility left after sitting out a season.

[johnny g]

Aris Williams has tremendous potential. I would not want to give up on him. Coach was wise to move Zaronn Cann, and now we're better off without Curry. But Aris has the heart and the size to succeed in college basketball. he sometimes shows real good skills, which are still developing. Remember that Terrence Leather and Solomon Jones didnt look very good early in their careers either. also, remember Saaka's only a sophomore. He can play the 4 position, and he's a gutsy player. My guess is, if he stays he will get his chance.

[Herman Momart]

I don't think Saaka stays. If he does it is because he wants to finish school and likes USF because I dont see much time for him on the floor, especially with Holmes coming in.

I also think its a good move for Curry to leave, Dominique seems like a real solid basketball player. Almost seems like the game if effortless and comes easy to him. I dont like his jumpshot but all other aspects of his game seem great.

My unsung hero is Olin Chin (sp?). I only saw the FSU and East Carolina games so far but vs ECU he was extremely aggressive. Took the ball right to the rack and I look forward to watching him improve. But this team with Holmes coming in looks like a pretty solid base. Jesus finally on the floor and given the ok to shoot makes him the player he always has been.

baby steps, but i can see us competing this year. Im not like Ari and gonna predict 9 conference wins and a big east tourney, but I can see a promising core of guys with a good coach.