Sophomore guard Kanayo Obi-Rapu Jr. will reportedly look to transfer from Longwood for his final two years of eligibility, according to Justin Byerly, the director of recruiting for BasketballElite.com and a contributor to the Charlotte Observer in North Carolina, Obi-Rapu Jr.’s home state.
When asked for comment on Wednesday, March 23, Longwood athletics’ Assistant Vice President of Athletics’ Communications Chris Cook said the transfer process has not been initiated for Obi-Rapu Jr.
“There is a process all NCAA student-athletes must go through if they wish to transfer. In regards to Kanayo, that process has not been initiated, so he remains a member of our men’s basketball program,” said Cook.
Obi-Rapu Jr. would be the second of his four-man class to transfer after former Longwood guard and standout three-point shooter Ryan Badowski left for Hillsdale College in Michigan after last season.
He would also join the list of six other players who transferred in the last three years under Gee, including former guard Lucas Woodhouse, now a starting junior guard for Stony Brooke in New York who ended their season in the first round of the NCAA tournament.
Student-athletes are required to submit an intent to transfer form to their current program and receive consent before another program is allowed to recruit them or encourage contact, according to the 2015-16 NCAA Division I Manual.
The Rotunda reached out for comment from both Obi-Rapu Jr. and men's basketball head coach Jayson Gee, but was not granted access because the official initial step has not occurred.
In response to the request, Cook said, "Generally, Longwood athletics would not comment on a student-athlete’s intent to transfer until the proper steps have been taken in regards to the NCAA’s transfer protocol."
He added, if the transfer intent form is submitted, the department will make an announcement and revisit the interview requests.
Obi-Rapu Jr. ended his sophomore season with 27 starts of 28 games played, and averaged 12.0 points and 3.1 rebounds in 31.9 minutes per game. He shot .384 from beyond the ac and .417 from the field overall.
Men's basketball sophomore guard Kanayo Obi-Rapu Jr. will reportedly transfer and not return to Longwood next season, according to Justin Byerly, the director of recruiting for BasketballElite.com and a contributor to the Charlotte Observer in North Carolina, Obi-Rapu Jr.’s home state.
