Ping leaving NU at semester's end
Shang Ping’s announcement Wednesday that he’s leaving the Nebraska basketball team leaves coach Doc Sadler with the NCAA limit of 13 scholarship players for the 2008-09 season.
That doesn’t mean Sadler has stopped looking for newcomers.
Sadler said Wednesday he’s still in the hunt for “somebody who’s got some size,” as Nebraska searches to replace departed senior center Aleks Maric.
Still in question is the eligibility status of incoming freshman Christopher Niemann, a 6-foot-11 center. Sadler continues to recruit post players should the NCAA rule that Niemann, who played for a German club team that compensated some players, is not eligible for next season.
“We’ll look at all avenues — high school, junior college, prep school, transfers,” Sadler said.
Ping, a China native and junior college recruit, lasted one season at Nebraska, averaging 9.9 minutes in 21 games. He’s finishing the spring semester, then transferring. He’ll finish his one remaining season of eligibility at a lower-level school, likely NCAA Division II.
“He’s made a heck of a commitment to come over here and play, and I think he is probably wanting more of a guarantee than I’m willing to give him,” Sadler said. “I think it’s in the best interest of him, for what he wants, to drop down a level and try to play somewhere else.
“I appreciate everything that Ping has done. He’s a very hard worker. I wish him the very best.”
Ping, leaving the Devaney Center after a meeting with Sadler, declined to comment to a reporter.
In other news, Sadler said forward Chris Balham underwent surgery Tuesday on his knee. He’ll be sidelined up to three months.
“We’re probably going to have to look at cutting him back even more so in the preseason, and even practice,” Sadler said of Balham, who was limited in his minutes last season. He averaged 7.9 minutes in 32 games.
Also, Sadler said freshman point guard Cookie Miller, after further evaluation, will not need surgery on his shoulder, which he severely sprained Feb. 23. Sadler said Miller needs two to three more weeks of rehabilitation.
Reach Brian Rosenthal at 473-7436 or brosenthal@journalstar.com.
That doesn’t mean Sadler has stopped looking for newcomers.
Sadler said Wednesday he’s still in the hunt for “somebody who’s got some size,” as Nebraska searches to replace departed senior center Aleks Maric.
Still in question is the eligibility status of incoming freshman Christopher Niemann, a 6-foot-11 center. Sadler continues to recruit post players should the NCAA rule that Niemann, who played for a German club team that compensated some players, is not eligible for next season.
“We’ll look at all avenues — high school, junior college, prep school, transfers,” Sadler said.
Ping, a China native and junior college recruit, lasted one season at Nebraska, averaging 9.9 minutes in 21 games. He’s finishing the spring semester, then transferring. He’ll finish his one remaining season of eligibility at a lower-level school, likely NCAA Division II.
“He’s made a heck of a commitment to come over here and play, and I think he is probably wanting more of a guarantee than I’m willing to give him,” Sadler said. “I think it’s in the best interest of him, for what he wants, to drop down a level and try to play somewhere else.
“I appreciate everything that Ping has done. He’s a very hard worker. I wish him the very best.”
Ping, leaving the Devaney Center after a meeting with Sadler, declined to comment to a reporter.
In other news, Sadler said forward Chris Balham underwent surgery Tuesday on his knee. He’ll be sidelined up to three months.
“We’re probably going to have to look at cutting him back even more so in the preseason, and even practice,” Sadler said of Balham, who was limited in his minutes last season. He averaged 7.9 minutes in 32 games.
Also, Sadler said freshman point guard Cookie Miller, after further evaluation, will not need surgery on his shoulder, which he severely sprained Feb. 23. Sadler said Miller needs two to three more weeks of rehabilitation.
Reach Brian Rosenthal at 473-7436 or brosenthal@journalstar.com.
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