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From Tuesday's Dallas Morning News:

Forward considering leaving basketball team

UNIVERSITY PARK – SMU coach Mike Dement said forward Alex Kraft, who was redshirted this season as a freshman, is leaning toward giving up basketball to focus more on school and may transfer closer to his native Corpus Christi. Kraft's departure would open up a scholarship. SMU has only one scholarship to offer for next season's early signing period.

Rick Alonzo

Okay, what's the real story behind this?

the writing is not real clear but the article says SMU has only one scholarship to give in the late signing period and also says Craft "may" transfer-does that mean we have two scholarships to give if he does?

We will have one NOW and one for the early signing period next November.

Is this a net gain for us or not? In other words, does anybody know if Kraft is someone of significant basketball promise or can the scholarship be used more effectively?

With all due respect to Alex Craft, I would consider this a "positive gain."

This is also not "new" news. I wonder why it was deemed newsworthy now??

probably because signing date is the following Wednesday and a reporter asked Dement what his plans were for the spring signing date.

It's only a positive gain if Dement uses the available scholarship better than he apparently did before. Stallion is right that it's news now b/c Alonzo was probably asking Dement questions regarding any potential new recruits and how many scholarships are available.

Its not that Kraft may leave, he's gone. SMU offered his scholarship to Michael Milton. Milton is hesitating, some of the other scholarships he was offered have been withdrawn, because those schools have signed other players. Its sort of down to SMU or William and Mary, but he's still holding out hope for interest from someone bigger.
Hopefully, if Milton doesnt sign they'll save the ship and have 2 next year, which is considered to be another bumper crop of local talent. Big Easy makes a good point, if you trace this scholarship back a few years (Kraft to Pharis to Nabity to Elsy) the person holding it hasnt been seeing much playing time, and usually hasnt held it long. Dont just throw it at the first guy walking by, not when there will be alot of good prospects in our neighborhood next year, and we'll only have one (Kris Lowe) scholarship to work with.

[This message has been edited by Nacho Cheese (edited 04-08-2003).]

I would seriously doubt that Lavardicus Atkins will be allowed to take his 5th year redshirt-so that would open up another right there.

I hate to see Alex go. He was a great guy. I'm sure Donatis will be sad too...! (they are roomies).