UNM men’s basketball program has had a busy week, with the departure of one player and a departure of sorts for two others.
Sophomore guard Ruben Douglas was invited to try out for the United States World University Games team in Colorado Springs, Colo., June 1-3. The games are a multi-sport event and are held every two years. Tryouts were open to men between the ages of 17-28 who have, within the last year, been a student at a college or university.
Douglas did not make the team, which competes in Beijing, China, later this summer, but he still gets to travel overseas.
Douglas left Wednesday for Italy to play on a collegiate all-star team coached by Bill Van Gundy, father of New York Knicks coach Jeff Van Gundy.
Also putting on his traveling shoes is UNM point guard Marlon Parmer. He will play on a collegiate all-star team that competes in Italy and Greece. The team is coached by Mike Jarvis Jr., son of St. John’s University coach Mike Jarvis. Parmer leaves June 13, first to New York City to meet his teammates, then to Europe.
Parmer was excited about making his first international trip.
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“This is something no one in my family has done,” Parmer said. “No one’s been to Italy or overseas, so I’m looking forward to it.”
Parmer said he should see a lot of playing time.
“The team is a 10-man roster with two men at each spot,” Parmer said. “Everybody will play an equal amount. They play very physical over there, so I want to see how I’ll do, and it’s going to be interesting to see how their rules compare to us here in the States.”
Parmer said he was also invited to play for a National Invitation Tournament all-star team in Ireland, but he isn’t sure whether NCAA rules will allow him to make two overseas trips in one summer. He also said that his 3.25 grade average during the spring semester allowed him the opportunity to travel instead of taking summer classes.
In addition, head coach Fran Fraschilla announced June 1 that 6-foot-7 freshman forward Zeke Johnson would be granted a release from his scholarship. His departure was heavily rumored towards the end of the season as Johnson, who played sparingly throughout the year, did not make the Lobos’ trip to Memphis for an NIT quarterfinal game. His leaving will allow the seldom-used guard Pat Kelly to remain on scholarship for next year. Fraschilla called the split amicable.
With the postseason signings of heralded 7-foot junior college transfer Moustapha Diagne and 6-foot-7 junior college transfer Cody Payne to bolster the Lobos’ inside game, his departure is not likely to be an issue.
Parmer said excitement is already building for next year’s Lobo squad.
“You look at Ruben, Moustapha, Cody Payne, Senque Carey; it’s going to be very interesting,” Parmer said. “I just hope everyone sticks together.”
