Ryan Hollins Released from Letter of Intent
It
hasn’t taken men’s basketball coach Lorenzo Romar long to make an impact at the
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University of Washington.
Romar
signed his first Husky recruit Bobby Jones on Monday, and Washington received
more good news on Tuesday when Romar’s former assistant and now St. Louis coach
Brad Soderberg told the St. Louis
Post-Dispatch that the school would release Ryan Hollins from his letter of
intent.
Hollins
signed with the Billikens during the early signing period last November and his
relationship with Romar played a big part in that decision. A 6-foot-11 center
from John Muir High School in Pasadena, California, Hollins earned a No. 2
ranking for centers on the West Coast.
“Ryan
is a skilled big man with good quickness and an exceptional upside,” Romar said
last November when Hollins signed his LOI to play for the St. Louis. “Our goal
is to recruit players with size and the most quickness possible. Ryan fits that
mold.”
Under
NCAA rules Hollins would have to sit out next year and only have three
remaining for eligibility at the school of his choice, but could appeal.
Given
the return of senior Marlon Shelton, freshmen Mike Jensen and Jeffrey Day, and
the addition of incoming freshman Anthony Washington the Huskies should have a
much improved frontcourt. Hollins hasn’t fully developed and could spend a year
bulking up and acclimating himself to the program, but with his height could also
provide some immediate help.
Washington
loses senior center David Dixon who averaged 8.4 points and a team leading 7.6
rebounds per game. However, Dixon often found himself in foul trouble with the
freshman Day as the only legitimate substitute at the position.
Once
Hollins gains his official release, Romar can begin to actively recruit his
former soignée. The late signing period ends on May 15, so Hollins still has
time to select a school and sign a letter of intent...