The AAU coach of one of Georgia's most heralded signees, forward Mohamed Abukar of Rancho Bernardo High School in Escondido, Calif., has contacted
the school's compliance office about a release for Abukar.
University of Georgia compliance director Amy Chisholm confirmed Wednesday
that she had received "verbal contact'' from Abukar's AAU coach, Ollie
Goulston, about the request to be released from his scholarship.
Holland, however, said neither Abukar nor anyone representing the player has
contacted him.
"We signed five guys in the fall, and none of the guys has been released,''
Holland said before adding "None of the five, to my knowledge, has asked
for
a release.''
Holland would not speculate if Georgia would grant a player's request to be
released.
If a player is granted a release from his scholarship, he must sit out one
year after signing with another school. If a player enrolls at another
school but is not released from his scholarship, he must sit out two years.
If Georgia denies a player's request to be released, the player may petition
the National Letter of Intent Steering Committee in hopes of obtaining his
release.
If Georgia grants a release and the player obtains a waiver from the
committee, he may enroll at another school without having to sit out a
season.
The letter of intent is binding even if the school changes head coaches.
NCAA sanctions, however, could result in Georgia granting requests from
Abukar or other players seeking to sign with another school.
Abukar, 6-foot-9 and 200 pounds, was named San Diego Area Player of the Year
by the San Diego Hall of Champion after leading the area with his average of
29.0 points per game. Abukar signed with Georgia in the fall early signing
period.
Holland said he has been in contact with current players and recruits while
he serves as acting head coach during the suspension of Coach Jim Harrick.
Georgia's other signees this year include two inside players currently
attending South Plains College in Levelland, Texas: 6-foot-8 Marcus Jackson
of Peoria, Ill., and 6-foot-10 Cassiano Matheus of Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Joining Abukar as early signees in the fall were Corey Gibbs, a 6-foot-8
forward from Stone Mountain, and Jordan Howell, a 6-foot-3 guard from
Madison, Ala.
"We're just waiting to see where the roller coaster lands,'' said Howell's
mother, Wanda Howell, Wednesday.
"Coach Harrick has been nothing but a man of character and a class
gentleman
to us. We're heartbroken for him and the team not being able to go to the
(NCAA) tournament.''