Arkansas guard Rotnei Clarke will not transfer from the UA, saying in a statement late Monday night it was never his intention to leave the Razorbacks.
A local television station, KNWA, reported Saturday that Clarke was “seriously considering” transferring from the UA. In his statement, Clarke even quoted the report, which prompted plenty of discussion last weekend on talk radio and Internet message boards about the sophomore guard and the future of the basketball program.
“Contrary to a local television station report over the weekend that I was ‘seriously considering’ transferring, I wanted to make clear to the Razorback fans that I will return to play basketball for the University of Arkansas next season,” said Clarke, who entered this weekend ninth in the nation in three-point field goal percentage. “It has never been my intention to transfer.”
Clarke met with Pelphrey to discuss the season and his future Monday as part of the season-ending individual interviews Pelphrey schedules with players.
I spoke with Arkansas Coach John Pelphrey on Saturday in Hot Springs after KNWA’s report surfaced. Pelphrey brushed the topic aside during a conversation we had at a high school championship game at Summit Arena and declined to comment.
Clarke, in his own words, also brushed the topic aside late Monday night.
“I am looking forward to working with Coach Pelphrey and the rest of my teammates this off season to improve individually as well as a team for next year,” Clarke said in a statement. “The University, coaches and fans have supported me since I came to Arkansas and I look forward to competing for the Razorbacks next season. My family plays a huge role in my life. With my sister attending the University as a member of the volleyball team and my family living close by, Arkansas has become home.”
Clarke was second on the team in scoring, averaging 15.1 points this season. He hit 100 three-pointers this season, two behind the school record.
UPDATE (10:59 p.m.): KNWA’s executive sports producer, Jason Carroll, responded to Clarke’s statement via Twitter Monday night.
UPDATE (11:26 p.m.): KNWA sports reporter Pat Doney, who reported through anonymous sources that Clarke was considering a transfer, also joined the fray Monday night.
UPDATE (11:45 p.m.): Doney continued to stand by his story via Twitter later, again, Monday night.
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.
Rotnei, I’m glad you are staying with the Hogs! Players with the high character and moral fiber that you possess are very rare indeed, and you represent the University of Arkansas very well. My opinions of some of your teammates and coaches are irrelevant in this post, and I hope your coaches can put a team around you that will work to get open shots for you and can provide scoring support so that other teams can’t focus solely on you. Good luck in the off-season and during next season! Go Hogs!
Rotnei is a super individual. Glad he is staying and playing for the Hogs. Pel, how about teaching the team to set screens for him, block for him and pass the ball to him. I have been to almost every home game and the tournament. Many possessions Rotnei never has the chance to touch the ball, let alone have any assistance in trying to score. Coach you have been blessed that Clark is staying. So, change your coaching strategy.
This is excellent news. Now, lets bring in the quality recruits, as advertised, to support these guys.
In addition, with the added depth, some pine time for Courtney Fortson will hopefully be an immediate option every time he feels compelled to lead the team shot attempts, many of which seem to hang on a prayer. You’re allegedly a very gifted POINT guard, Courtney. It would be nice if you could play like one and ASSIST in getting more gifted shooters, like Clarke, the basketball.
I swear, the UA fanbase is going to kill the program. This is getting ridiculous.
This kind of stuff goes on at every university in the nation right after the season ends…….Does Pat Dummy want a medal????
Great news for Razorback nation. Arkansas cannot lose quality character individuals like RC. Recruit more like him and then there are no worries about off the court distractions and suspensions that can be used as excuses.The negative image of Arkansas basketball has got to go before being concerned with winning. On another note maybe Jeff Long needs to transfer. Got to wonder about his evaluation process. And why evaluation meetings on a Sunday?
Agreed dfxo4! It’s amazing how the good news of rotnie returning has turned into a forum to bash another player. I seem to recall many of the opposing teams coaches referencing fortsons play in either their pregame or postgame interviews as one of things that concerned them the most about playing the razorbacks. Say what you want but his abilty to find open teamates and create ASSISTS is what changed our team and actually made the hogs competitive! Did all you people just go comatose and forget how bad we SUCKED the first half of the season without him!