douglas to transfer

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SoCalHoops College News

Ruben Douglas To Transfer
From Arizona--(Nov. 14, 1999)

We just got the following news from the Arizona Men's Basketball program, which issued a press release (which is also up at their own official website, so you know we're not just making this up) this afternoon, announcing that Ruben Doublas (6'-4" So. SG/PG) will transfer:

Arizona Men's Basketball Update
11/14/99

Wildcat sophomore guard Ruben Douglas has been granted his request for a release from his scholarship at the University of Arizona by the UA coaching staff. He will continue his course work at the UA for the rest of the fall semester with the intent to transfer after that period.

"We are disappointed to see Ruben leave our program, but he made a decision that he felt was best for him," Arizona head coach Lute Olson said. "We wish him well with his future plans and our staff will assist him in any way possible with his transfer plans."

Douglas, a 6-foot-4-inch guard from Altadena, Calif. (Bellarmine-Jefferson High School), was one of three returning starters for the Wildcats this season. Last year as a freshman, he started in 14 games at the off-guard position and averaged 8.0 points, 2.1 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game. He was an honorable mention All-Pac-10 Freshman Team selection as well.

Ruben didn't play in the first exhibition game of the season, reportedly because he was upset over losing his starting role to incoming freshman Gilbert Arenas (6'-4" Fr. SG), who reportedly outplayed him during practices and at an inter-squad exhibition scrimmage; after that scrimmage, Coach Olson made the decision to go with Arenas.

Douglas returned to the team last week and he and Olson reportedly had a conference regarding Douglas' situation with the team, and it ultimately did not change Olson's mind to start Arenas. As of last week, Douglas had announced that he intended to stay, but evidently changed his mind over the weekend. Douglas' transfer will definitely hurt the Wildcats, who had intended to use him as a backup at point and as the next option for Arenas. Douglas will have to sit out a year, but since he has not played this season, he will likely still have three years after a redshirt year next season wherever he decides to transfer.

The news of Ruben's transfer (assuming Gilbert was even aware of it) didn't seem to affect Gilbert Arenas too much one way or the other. Gilbert had a decent, but not great game today against one of the Pump "California All-Star" teams (the one with Charles O'Bannon, Kenneth Young, Jason Williams, etc), as Arizona beat the Pumps 86-83. Gilbert scored 11 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists in 35 minutes of play.