Former St. Pete Catholic and USF basketball player Aaron Holmes, one of six Bulls to be granted a release in the past year, is transferring to Santa Fe Community College in Gainesville.
"He's looking for a fresh start, and we're excited to have him," said SFCC coach Chris Mowry, whose team has won its conference in each of the last two seasons. "I hope he can have a pretty big (role) for us, can be a player who can score in double figures. Obviously he's had a tough two years for his college experience."
Holmes signed with Florida State out of St. Pete Catholic, but transferred to USF after one semester, sitting out a year as required by NCAA rules. He had a promising start with the Bulls, totaling 33 points in back-to-back nonconference games, but never found a role in Big East play under coach Stan Heath. Holmes totaled just 30 points in 18 conference games, playing one minute or less in eight of the last nine games.
"He didn't get to play a lot, and Aaron felt like he wasn't part of their future plans, although I don't think that was ever expressed to him by the coaches there," Mowry said.
Holmes could not be reached for comment. None of the Bulls leaving Heath's program have gone to major-conference programs; forward Zaronn Cann played at Division II Eckerd this past season, and guard Dante Curry transferred in December to Georgia State. Guard Solomon Bozeman signed with Arkansas-Little Rock and will sit out next season, with two years of eligibility remaining. Forwards Amu Saaka and Orane Chin were also granted releases after the 2007-08 season.
Had Holmes transferred to another Division I program, he would have needed to sit out another season, but the junior college route allows him to play this season, earn an associate of arts degree and transfer back to a Division I program with two years of eligibility remaining.
Times sportswriter Greg Auman, who covers USF, will post news and thoughts on the Bulletin and we invite your participation in the comments area.
How is it that holmes cant cut it at USF? his first outing he had 20 in d1 competition!! Come on AAron!!!
Posted by: matt | November 19, 2008 at 05:00 AM
Assuming that Gaby Belardo and Alex Rivas Sanchez join the recruiting class as expected in the next few days, USF would have two remaining scholarships for next season, though it's unlikely they'll use both. One will be a frontcourt player, most likely IMG's Teeng Akol, and the other is likely to be carried over, just in case USF can land a midyear transfer as the Bulls did with Mike Mercer this past winter.
By holding over a scholarship, USF would have four available for next year's class, with guard Shaun Noriega already earmarked for one of them.
Posted by: G.A. | May 09, 2008 at 02:25 PM
Apologies - that quote was actually made by Jim, impersonating Dwight.
Posted by: Mike Lakeland | May 09, 2008 at 02:14 PM
Ohhhh man. "The Office" quotes are always worth 1,000 cool points.
"Fact - bears eat beets. Bears, beets, Batltlestar Galactica." - Dwight Schrute
Greg - how many scholarships does USF have left for this fall? Thx.
Posted by: Mike Lakeland | May 09, 2008 at 02:13 PM
Thats going to be pretty crazy for Holmes.. If he can cut it on a team its going to be playing for 4 teams in college... awesome
Posted by: paul wall | May 09, 2008 at 01:27 PM
Composed when inside like a big man... Can shoot it like a small guard.
Posted by: Ari Hinkelberger | May 09, 2008 at 01:22 PM
Man. Thought that might be coming. You guys don't let me down.
Posted by: G.A. | May 09, 2008 at 12:42 PM
that's what she said
Posted by: Michael Scott | May 09, 2008 at 12:35 PM
Jones is big and small?
Posted by: G.A. | May 09, 2008 at 12:04 PM
He wasn't that good and I think he was a bit over come by the level of talent he was facing.
I think if he would have stuck it out and worked his tale off, he could have been a solid college player in his junior and senior year.
For every one Dominique jones there are 15 undersized guards coming out of high school that don't amount to much. I think lost in D. Jones success is his size and ability to shoot the ball. Its not found in many players. You are usually either big and can't shoot, or small and can knock down the rock.
Jones has it both.
Posted by: Ari Hinkelberger | May 09, 2008 at 11:55 AM
Let us not forget that Aaron Holmes also committed and de-committed to N.C. State. The kid has a real problem with commitment. As both a USF/St Pete Catholic alum I was hoping for great things, now I just hope he works out his issues for his own good.
Posted by: Matthew Yoder | May 09, 2008 at 11:38 AM
Wasn't Daron Rose a HS prospect for USF, who ended up picking FSU? Well now he's out of FSU looking for a juco. Wonder if that will affect their APR.
Posted by: Tad | May 09, 2008 at 11:17 AM