Darian Norris granted transfer from Bradley

[pfunk880]

If DN had an ounce of competitive nature he would of believed he could "beat out" Maniscalco and McCain for minutes.

That's obviously understandable, and I know I wouldn't want it any other way. If he didn't have that competitive nature, it would be a problem. At the same time, McCain and Maniscalco are also very talented D-I basketball players, and there are only so many minutes to go around. Even without Warren, we had a crowded backcourt, and DN was the last guy to sign on to it. He had to know what he was getting into.

Please, every kid wants to play more. Even if he felt he could compete with the others, maybe after meeting with the coaches, which every player does after the season ends, he was evaluated and told where he's at, and what he could expect next year.
This kind of thing happens at every single college in America. Who are we to judge, take sides, or criticize Darrian's decision. It's his life, and we should want him to do what he feels is best for him.
He was a team-oriented player at Bradley, coachable, and he was a great kid, and his attitude was never an issue for the coaches.

If this was directed at me, I'm not "judging, taking sides, or criticizing." DN certainly has every right to do what he wants, and from all accounts he seems to be a good kid with a good attitude. I'm certainly not taking shots at any of those things, and I wish him all the best wherever he decides to go from here.

All I am saying is that I am baffled that he's transferring if it's a playing time issue because this issue was clear from the moment he signed his LOI. Yeah, "every kid wants to play more," and if he wanted to play more he probably should have gone somewhere else from square one. Obviously he had designs on beating out some of the other guards, but he had to know that it was possible that he wouldn't be able to beat out some of them, and minutes could be scarce in our guard-oriented system.

Anyone could see that we had a crowded backcourt even before the arrival of Norris, so just to reiterate, all I'm saying is that I'm surprised. I'm not criticizing DN, because it's his life.

[Bravesfan]

When is the last time there WASN'T a season where a scholarship player left the program with eligibility left?

I think DN would have been 6th on the guard depth chart next season. AW, DD, CR, SM, EM. If the open slot would be taken by a really good freshman guard next season, he may have fallen to 7th on the depth chart. I can certainly see that his minutes next season would be about the same or less than this season. Good luck to him and hopes he lands at a good program.

Yes, but like someone else posted, he would have seen more playing time during his junior and senior years. The ironic thing is that he did log a decent amount of playing time this year, but he is now leaving for that reason. That's a shame!

I hope Les and his staff are doing everything they can to keep him here. But apparently that will not happen.

[Bravesfan]

Please, every kid wants to play more. Even if he felt he could compete with the others, maybe after meeting with the coaches, which every player does after the season ends, he was evaluated and told where he's at, and what he could expect next year.
This kind of thing happens at every single college in America. Who are we to judge, take sides, or criticize Darrian's decision. It's his life, and we should want him to do what he feels is best for him.
He was a team-oriented player at Bradley, coachable, and he was a great kid, and his attitude was never an issue for the coaches.

Agreed. Hopefully he made the right choice because no one knows for sure how much playing time a player will get, and maybe he could have played his way into the lineup more than he thought he would, especially if someone gets injured. Having said that though, I know he will be a great fit at another mid-major school that is looking for his skills. I wish him nothing but the best.

[it's boogie time]

I was really looking forward to seeing how much Norris would improve over the offseason. I thought he would be a nice insurance policy and help push the other guards. He was a little timid at times, but a steady player. He reminded me of Rob Dye/Will Franklin at times. I hate to see decent players leave.

[Braves4Life]

Wow! Somebody's got egg on their face

I said it before and I'll say it again. McCain and Norris have a chance to be mentioned with the best backcourts in America before they graduate. I consider myself a good judge of talent and you can book this one Danno

http://bradleyfans.com/vb/showpost.php?p=104707&postcount=7

[mrcoachdude]

Best to you young man...your shot will be missed...you better work hard and make us proud that you were once a Brave we will be watching

[leebiddlecome]

Im sure the staff new about this for a while. There is no way it just came up yesterday. I like Darian's game. He is a D1 player. Hopefully he can find a place to play PG closer to home. That's ok.

There is a risk of guys getting homesick when you get guys from outside your normal "recruiting base". Everyone knows that.

Who knows if the kid was told during the recruiting process that he would get the chance to play PG. Coaches say things to recruits to get them to commit. All coaches do it. Every one. Thats a part of the deal. Also, it was on Darian to look at the roster makeup as well.

He has three years left of eligibility to contribute somewhere. Good luck to him.

[houstontxbrave]

Players leave its part of college basketball, not just at Bradley. I really dont see it as any sort of indication with this program.

Norris, he seems to have a nice shot but was very reluctent to shoot it, if he wants to handle the ball and play point he better work real hard on his left hand, his hands and his overall handling of the ball. Also, at 5 11 or there abouts he simply is to small to play the 2 in an offense with with SM or EM who are both of similar height. That size in our back court was a very big disadvantage.

Regardless Norris good luck and hope you find a home that you love for the rest of your career.

[BradleyBrave]

so then why is it surprising...
it has happened virtually every single year!! And not just here...at many, many D-I's it happens almost every year.


before 2009-2010 - Darian Norris, ?
before 2008-2009 - TCS, Rashad Austin, Cameron Sweatman, Ryan Thornton
before 2007-2008 - Saihou Jassey, Ray Brown, Jeremy Fears
before 2006-2007 - Patrick O'Bryant
before 2005-2006 - Michael Rembert, Lance Stemler
before 2004-2005 - Mike Suggs, Ryan Sunley, Joey Paul, Chris Mroz
before 2003-2004 - Danny Granger, Stevan Marcetic
before 2002-2003 - Joah Tucker, Antoine Tisby
before 2001-2002 - Lee Biddlecome
others...Cameron Rigby, Milo Kirsch, Angelo Flanders, Andre Corbitt, Anthony Grundy, Willie Coleman, Billy Keys, David Selby, Kevin Clancy...

it is the nature of mid-level programs...kids wanting to move elsewhere, play more, or not measuring up...

Ryan Sunley, Chris Mroz, Cameron Sweatman, and Ryan Thornton are all irrelevant when it comes to departures. I would argue Marcetic was too, but I believe he was on scholarship at the time.

Also, I wouldn't say that it's the nature of mid-level programs, but moreso of a mid-level programs that's mid-level in it's own league. The high turnover has contributed to us remaining mediocre for the better part of a decade.

My main concern is the turnover of 4-5 scholarship players every year. Yes, that can/will happen from time to time, but we shouldn't be replacing half the roster year after year. One of the things that has me very optimistic about next year is the lack of turnover with key players. IMO at this point Wilson is really the only 'key' loss for next season, but losing 4 year scholarship players isn't usually what you want to see, especially one that was a contributor like Norris. As I said in another post, if this is the only departure than I think we're OK. If there are more, then I think it's time to be concerned.

[BUFAN]

DN had it made he is under 6', a shooting guard/point guard wannabe and could have given JL that five guard line up he has dreamed of. Can't understand why he would leave...

[BradleyBrave]

check the scholarship grid (courtesy of shaunguth) and see that the upcoming classes are RIGHT NOW as balanced as they have ever been.
give JL some credit...he maybe has a long range plan that's working here...
http://bradleyfans.com/vb/showthread...357#post128357

I am very happy with the way our recruiting is trending, and the high number of quality 4 year players. It's how long term success is built.

[lefty]

I would think that this is what many people wanted. All I've heard this year is too many short guards..I too think DN will be better off somewhere else. Good luck to you DN.

Personally I don't if we play all 7 footers or all 5 footers as long as we get into the NCAA every other year or so and win the Valley every so often

[Da Coach]

I have talked to a couple insiders, and Bradley is sorry to lose Darian. This was 100% the Norris' decision, based on their desire for Darian to play point guard.

[BUFAN]

I have talked to a couple insiders, and Bradley is sorry to lose Darian. This was 100% the Norris' decision, based on their desire for Darian to play point guard.

You've got to admit all three of our freshmen distinguished themselves this year. It really is too bad DN decided to leave...

[SFP]

I'm not sure what DN's future plans are but the chance of him playing in the NBA are nil at either the 1 or 2. If he would like to go over seas and play I may understand his desire to play the 1. We will not miss him all that much except with some depth issues or if we have an injury the next 2 years. Where we will miss him is when he would have been a Sr. He has a great shooting stroke and I could have seen him playing significant minutes by his Jr - Sr years. I guess he wants to play now and with JL recruiting guards all the time there would never ever be any guarantees coming from our program. I wish him luck and I do understand his thought process. This foe some reason does not come as shock to me. I thought that he may be the odd man out. It happens.