Arkansas sophomore guard Rotnei Clarke is scheduled to sit down and discuss his future today with Coach John Pelphrey, WholeHogSports.com has learned.
A television report surfaced Saturday, citing anonymous sources, that Clarke was strongly considering a transfer from Arkansas. I spoke with Pelphrey on Saturday during the high school state championships in Hot Springs, where the coach declined to comment on the television station’s report.
Clarke was second on the team in scoring, averaging 15.5 points this season. Clarke entered the postseason ninth in the nation in three-point field goal percentage (42.7 percent).
Meanwhile, changes are afoot with the Arkansas coaching staff. The athletic department officially announced the reassignment of Isaac Brown in a news release Monday. Brown was moved to an unspecified administrative role, and Pelphrey has started a search for a new assistant coach. Assistant coaches Rob Evans and Tom Ostrom will remain on staff.
Make sure to check out WholeHogSports.com and the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for more coverage. You can also follow us on Twitter for breaking news updates with @bmarcello and @wholehogsports.
I really believe that the future of Razorback basketball is getting ready to take a big turn for the better.
Players who seem notoriously out of control both on and off the court are either going to have to get with the program or will finally find themselves dealing with some quality, incoming depth and possible [lack of] playing time issues.
Regardless, he sounds like a great kid and I sure hope that Clarke stays.
One thing is for sure, dwp. You always take the positive side of things. I’ve read your posts for a couple years, noting when others were jumping off the bandwagon. You stayed on.
I have to admit, I’m wobbling a little on Pelphrey. He’s faced a lot of challenges. But if Clarke leaves, even you have to figure that it is damning statement on the program. When you get right down to it, if there’s going to be growth in this program, a field general is needed. Rotnei is that field general. Fortson is simply too volatile and really doesn’t appear to express a “we” rather than “me” attitude.
As a fan, foundation member and graduate, I’m giving my thumbs up for another season with Pelphrey. But if Rotnei goes, Pel will have more than his hands full and an uphill battle trying to show improvement next season. And that my friend, is the unfortunate reality he may face.