OU Gains New Orleans Transfer

Originally Published: Apr 26, 2010 1:19 PM CDT

Dave Carty
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

NORMAN, Oklahoma -- University of New Orleans point guard Carl Blair will transfer to the University of Oklahoma for the 2011 basketball season, the New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

“Carl is a very good player and we’re sorry things didn’t work out the way we planned here at UNO,” Privateers head coach Joe Pasternack said in the report. “I know it’s not what he signed up for with everything happening here. I’m happy for him that he’s able to get what he wanted and that’s a chance to play for a top-notch program like Oklahoma.”

The 6-2, 205-pound freshman averaged 9.2 points, 4.4 rebounds and 3.7 assists in 29 starts for the Privateers last season.

He becomes the second player to leave the Division III program – fellow freshman Quincy Diggs was the first to transfer – but New Orleans’ turnover hardly compares to that of the Sooners.

Oklahoma has been a revolving door since season’s end, witnessing Tiny Gallon, Willie Warren and Tommy Mason-Griffin declare for the NBA Draft and Orlando Allen and Ray Willis leave the program.

Head coach Jeff Capel’s moves to replenish the roster in the offseason include signing former Putnam City West star Tyler Neal and junior college standout Nick Thompson.

Due to alterations in the UNO athletic program, Blair will be eligible to play next season.