Murphy, Larson enrolled in summer school, still suspended
Suspended Florida forwards Erik Murphy and Cody Larson are enrolled in summer school.
But Florida coach Billy Donovan said their status remains unchanged. Larson and Murphy were suspended from the team indefinitely last April for allegedly trying to break into a car in St. Augustine. Charges were reduced from felony burglary to misdemeanor criminal trespass.
“They are here for summer school,” Donovan said. “They will be doing some workouts. Hopefully we will have some kind of resolution to this soon but how long I don’t know.”
Larson’s attorney entered a written plea of not guilty in St. Johns County court earlier this month. Murphy had a court appearance scheduled for earlier this month postponed to an undetermined date.
Other SEC notes:
– Kentucky coach John Calipari signed an 8 year, 36.5 million contract extension. Calipari, 52, said he could envision retiring following the contract. “I don’t see myself coaching in my 70s,” Calipari said. “I don’t want my tombstone to read my won-loss record.”
– When asked whether his contract was binding at Kentucky or if he would consider pursuing NBA offers, Calipari responded: “There’s buyouts and all that kind of stuff in there but I’m excited about being here. I’m happy with this opportunity. It took me a long time to get to a place like Kentucky.”
– Georgia coach Mark Fox said he considers Vanderbilt a legitimate Final Four contender next season. Top scorers Jeffery Taylor, Festus Ezeli and John Jenkins all decided to return to the Commodores rather than put their names in the NBA draft. “They have a great backcourt, terrific wing play and great shooting,” Fox said. “They have an NBA center, a couple of good posts and a good bench. So I think, looking at the ingredients of a team, there’s not much missing from their team.”
– New Arkansas coach Mike Anderson said he wasn’t surprised that junior shooting guard Rotnei Clarke decided to transfer, “You always expect the unexpected,” Anderson said.
– Mississippi State forward Renardo Sidney is spending the summer in Houston working with former NBA coach John Lucas on his conditioning, “He’s done well from what we’ve been told,” Mississippi State coach Rick Stansbury said. “We haven’t had a chance to watch him play.”
Kevin Brockway gave up on his dream of becoming a lefty starting pitcher for the New York Mets when he walked four straight batters, then hit one in a middle school game in Suffern, N.Y. Since graduating college in 1993, he’s worked as a sports writer at daily newspapers throughout the state of Florida, beginning with the Key West Citizen. He then moved on to the Northwest Florida Daily News and Naples Daily News before becoming the men’s basketball writer for The Gainesville Sun in 2003. Brockway has won multiple state and national writing awards during his 16-year career. Favorite pastimes include karaoke and watching baseball. Favorite college hoops team growing up was St. John’s.
Erik Murphy was coaching kids at Billy’s Basketball Camp. I think Billy thinks this is going to turn out ok or else he would not let Murphy coach. BTW, he really is a nice kid, was a great coach, and this seems really out of character for him.
by Baller
Dude– “St. Johns County” doesn’t have an apostrophe. Neither does the river. The unversity, however, does. Call it a localism, but it’s a journalist’s responsibilty to get that right. (Sorry, man. Love your work.)
by JohnWhoRocks
Let em sweat,after reading about an arrest a week during Urbans tenure my bleeding heart for kids acting foolish has ran dry.
by gatorvision
I have a friend who is good friends with Murphy’s girlfriend’s family. They say he is a great kid who made a mistake. If the parents of a girlfriend still back him, then it must be true. You know if they had any real concerns, they’d tell their daughter to get the heck out of that relationship. I think it deserves some serious punishment, but as long as they’re willing to be held responsible, then they may have another chance. Who hasn’t made a mistake after consuming alcohol? Larson is a little more tricky, however, since he came in on a second chance all ready. The coach’s job is to also teach them to deal with life, so I believe Billy D and Jeremy will do the right thing here.
by John S
Even if Coach D is leaning toward reinstatement (which I think he is) it doesn’t make any sense to announce anything until the case works it’s way through the system. Anyone who follows the team on Twitter knows that Murphy worked Donovan’s camp and spent the early part of the summer working out with former NBA player Chris Herren. A recovered drug addict, Herren mentors young players and has written a book called “Basketball Junkie.” The developing story is out there, too bad Kevin didn’t find it.
by pam
Calipari wishes his tombstone has his won/loss record on it. I can think of several worse things that could be printed on it like maybe….a list of all the schools he put on probation.
by Mark T.
Murph is the only athlete who is deserving of a second chance. Larson’s has expired. Be done with him billy!
by jerry staford