Star UB point guard Lamonte Bearden was granted his release from the men’s basketball team Wednesday and will transfer, according to multiple reports.
Bearden, a rising junior who started at point guard for back-to-back Buffalo Mid-American Conference Championship teams the past two years, leaves a big hole in the Bulls’ starting lineup, especially since former point guard Jarryn Skeete graduated this past May. Bearden was Buffalo’s leading scorer last year, averaging 13.7 points per game.
It is unclear just yet where Bearden will transfer to, but ESPN basketball insider Jeff Goodman has reported that Bearden’s list of schools includes big-time programs such as Nevada, Arizona, TCU, Texas A&M, Wisconsin, Iowa State and Miami.
“As we have done since we’ve been here, we will move on and continue to win at a high level,” said head coach Nate Oats in a statement.
Bearden was rated as the No. 28 point guard recruit in the country in 2014, the highest rated recruit to ever choose UB.
Bearden was suspended for three games in February for “violating team rules,” which was later reported to be a failed drug test. The next failed drug test would have resulted in a season-long suspension, per University rules.
Rising sophomore guard C.J. Massinburg and junior college recruit Dontay Carruthers appear the most likely candidates to replace Bearden at the point guard position. Rising senior forward Blake Hamilton will also likely get to handle the ball more.
Michael Akelson is the senior sports editor and can be reached at sports@ubspectrum.com
Photo: Ryan Hagen | UB Athletics
