La Salle's Murray to transfer
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La Salle's Murray to transfer
Anybody who was paying the least bit of attention to La Salle basketball this season will not be shocked by this news: Sophomore big man Aaric Murray is transferring.
La Salle coach John Giannini had a season-long struggle with Murray. The mega-talent was not always interested in the game. In fact, Giannini said that Murray really does not like the sport. It often showed in Murray’s performances.
Murray had moments where he was great and other moments where he disappeared, sometimes in the same game. Giannini publicly defended his player, but anyone with eyes knew the coach was having a very difficult time getting through to his star player.
“This was a very difficult decision for me, and I wish Aaric the very best for his future,” said Giannini, whose team finished 15-18. “I know Aaric always tried to do his best for La Salle, and we did all that we could to help him as a person and as a basketball player. We will continue to support Aaric in this process of finding another university.”
Murray will finish the spring semester at La Salle and then look for another school, or possibly, decide to play professionally.
Murray averaged 15.2 points and 7.2 rebounds last season after getting 12.2 points and 6.6 rebounds as a freshman. Murray blocked 143 shots in two seasons. He is a rare talent. But it simply was not working.
**Fingers Crossed** Giannini to follow, Giannini to follow, Giannini to follow, PLEASE!— Douggernaut- bye who really cares going pro what a joke he never outplayed anyone that he defended. good bye looking forward to zack and lopez.— phiilysooner1
- Dr G is the worst LaSalle coach since Paul Westhead.Why can't LaSalle hire a real bball coach?— phillyfanincal
- I didn't know LaSalle still had a basketball team. Too bad they fired Speedy as no one cares about the program.— Elmer Newkirk
- I agree Elmer. The biggest story hear for me is that LaSalle still has a basketball team. I thought they dropped it after the L Train graduated. I can believe 4 people care enough to post about it...heck I can't believe I'm posting about it!— TheBlob
- "Their" must be Temple grads commenting "hear" — monkeycatrg
- Paul Westhead won the Big five title in 1974-5. I was there in the Palestra when he coached them past Penn. He got them to the NCAA tournament twice and the NIT once. He had a .575 winning percentage. If you REALLY knew Explorer ball you would have selected the real stiff: Billy Hahn, who Gianni REPLACED. You simpleton.— Bob1
- Mayb they can drop down the the high-school level, oh wait they already gotta team down there..— crow-towes
- d— Teacher1111
- LASALLE needs to hire Bruce Pearl.— Teacher1111
- Jim Harding=Greatest LaSalle coach ever.— Wilhelm Von Humboldt
- Jim Harding=Greatest LaSalle coach ever.— Wilhelm Von Humboldt
- Giannini's coaching may not be the best, but Murray has always been this way. He was like this at Glen Mills.— mfecani
- I know wilhelm is joking, right? Harding's violations kept the best team LaSalle ever had from going to the NCAA in '69. They were the second-rated team all season after UCLA. Even though I did not like LaSalle, had to respect them for that team. Dunphy was the sixth man.— mike l
- Ken Loeffler certainly is in consideration as LaSalle's best coach. He won the NCAA and NIT championships. From 1950-55 he was in one of those tournaments every year. Of course it didn't hurt to have Tom Gola, one of the greatest ever to play the game. He was elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame. Gola himself was an outstanding coach.— Bob1
