Two outstanding players have transfered from Baylor after former head coach Dave Bliss resigned amid major NCAA rules violations.

Starting forward Lawrence Roberts of Houston-Lamar, Tex., has chosen Mississippi State over Arizona. He averaged 15.2 points and 10.4 rebounds to lead the Bears last season as a sophomore.

Class 2003 Top 100 forward Tyrone Nelson, an incoming touted freshman from Hempstead, Tex., has signed with Prairie View A&M after also considering Georgia Tech and Memphis.

Roberts and Nelson were among six players considering transfering from Baylor after the school imposed a two-year probation and a one-year ban on postseason play on its men's basketball program after admitting to NCAA violations. The NCAA may impose further penalties. Starting guard John Lucas III's father, John Lucas, the former Cleveland Cavaliers coach, was considered a potential candidate, but is no longer considering the position. Baylor president Robert Sloan said that any player who requests a release will be granted one. He also said the school would support a petition to the NCAA to waive the requirement that players sit out a year when transfering to another NCAA Division I school.

Other players considering leaving the Baylor program include:
Kenny Taylor 6-3 185 G JR-2L Sugar Land-Willowridge, Tex
John Lucas III 5-11 155 G JR-2L Houston-Bellaire, Tex (may consider Georgetown, Arkansas, Georgia and San Diego State)
Tommy Swanson 6-9 215 F SO-1L Fort Worth-North Crowley, Tex
Harvey Thomas 6-8 210 F JR Fredericsburg, Va/Georgetown/NE Okla A&M

More Basketball News

Marquette has pledged Class 2004 forward Ryan Amoroso of Burnsville, Minn., over Minnesota. He averaged 24 points and 11 rebounds as a junior.

Class 2003 forward Dan Coleman of Minnetonka-Hopkins, Minn., is expected to receive a release from Boston College and chose Minnesota. He will redshirt this season.

Class 2003 Top 100 center/forward Walter Waters of Detroit-Southeastern, Mich., is expected to be released by Pittsburgh. Waters, who has not qualified, has drawn interest from Kent State.

Forward Zach Williams of Brooklyn-Christ The King, NY., is transfering from Ohio State to Wright State. Williams started in all but 10 of his 94 games for the Buckeyes, averaging 8.5 points and 4.9 rebounds. He will redshirt this season and have one year remaining.

Eastern Michigan has pledged Class 2004 guard Darryl Garrett of Detroit-Denby, Mich., who had decommitted from Xavier. EMU recently signed Class 2003 forward Erik Shontee of Dayton, Ohio/Brown Mackie CC, Kan.

St. Bonaventure signed Class 2003 center Yankuba Camara of Gambia, West Africa/Chester County, Pa/College of Southern Idaho/Liberty/Moberly CC, Mo.

Fifty-six prospects on the early Class 2004 Top 100 have already made commitments.

Texas, Indiana and Alabama lead the very early 2004 Top Classes. Florida State led the 2003 Top Classes.