Creighton releases former Peoria Christian forward Alex O'Neill

[Da Coach]

This is an unusual story, and unfortunate, too. Alex O'Neill had a very good high school career at Peoria Notre Dame and Peoria Christian HS, and completed his senior year 1 year ago. He was committed to UNO at one time, then withdrew his commitment, then he got several D2 offers, and interest from several D1 schools, including Bradley. But then he got an offer from Creighton Head Coach Greg McDermott, and accepted. He redshirted his freshman season, and now has been released by Creighton.
Though I believe he would be a good fit at a lower level D1, his choices are somewhat limited. If he transfers to another D1, he would have to sit out another full year, and lose that year of eligibility.
More likely, his best opportunity would be to transfer to a Division II school, or maybe to a junior college, and then back to a D1 in another year.
It is a tough break for Alex.

[tornado]

it was reported that his 2nd choice coming out of high school was to walk on at Bradley ...wonder if...

[srw]

His AAU coach is saying immediately eligible, which seems odd, but maybe since he didn't play there is some rules change.

[tornado]

I still think a DI transfer has to sit out - even if he didn't play -
check Loyola's Milton Doyle - he played only in exhibitions (O'Neill also played in exhibitions) - but still had to sit out one full year when he transferred from Kansas to Loyola -
If he chooses to go DII, DIII, NAIA, or juco then he is eligible next fall

[midstateknowitall]

Don't False Report....

Alex asked for his release. He was a walk-on at Creighton. Creighton did not get rid of him. They granted Alex his request to transfer. He does not have to sit out a year either if he goes to another D1. There is a 1 time exception to walk-ons if certain criteria is met.

Alex has a desire to play and contribute in a significant way. He is currently looking for a situation that would be better suited for him in those aspects. Have already had multiple schools D1 and D2 contact me regarding him.

[Da Coach]

Don't False Report....

Alex asked for his release. He was a walk-on at Creighton. Creighton did not get rid of him. They granted Alex his request to transfer. He does not have to sit out a year either if he goes to another D1. There is a 1 time exception to walk-ons if certain criteria is met.

Alex has a desire to play and contribute in a significant way. He is currently looking for a situation that would be better suited for him in those aspects. Have already had multiple schools D1 and D2 contact me regarding him.

Thanks for the input. But nowhere did I or anyone here report that Creighton wanted to "get rid of him". We were only reporting exactly what has been reported elsewhere-

He redshirted his freshman season, and now has been released by Creighton.

https://twitter.com/scottybscout/status/709448375507296256

https://twitter.com/DaveReynolds2/status/709448597104828416

https://twitter.com/prepbullseye/status/709446260676104192

https://twitter.com/Illinois_Irish/status/709444529678630912

[tornado]

There is a transfer exception for walk-ons but it requires the following according to the reference I found below
I have to admit, I don't think I have ever seen this applied in a transfer situation.

Non-recruited Student Exception

A student-athlete may transfer and play immediately if he or she met the following conditions at the first institution:
•The student-athlete was not recruited according to the NCAA’s definition of recruiting;
•The student-athlete never received an athletic scholarship; and
•The student-athlete did not practice or compete at all in athletics at the original school except for one 14-day period (i.e. a tryout).

http://www.athleticscholarships.net/ncaa-transfer-exceptions.htm

I would think the first bullet might be hard to satisfy - as it depends on what constitutes "being recruited"
...then as you know - Creighton went on a foreign exhibition tour...and I don't know all the nuances to this rule, but
the team, including Alex, conditioned over the summer, spent two weeks practicing and then played several games in Italy - so without question, he was participating for more than 2 weeks...so I am not sure how they past that requirement if it is still in effect.

[tornado]

wonder if the non-binding promise to be on scholarship after redshirting a year - was changed ...?