{"id":6625,"date":"2014-03-31T22:01:42","date_gmt":"2014-04-01T02:01:42","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/jmusportsblog.com\/?p=6625"},"modified":"2014-04-01T07:29:11","modified_gmt":"2014-04-01T11:29:11","slug":"taylor-bessick-to-transfer-out-of-jmu","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jmusportsblog.com\/?p=6625","title":{"rendered":"Taylor Bessick to Transfer Out of JMU"},"content":{"rendered":"

It’s official. Taylor Bessick is leaving JMU . He just received his realease papers and he’s able to talk to all schools except CAA<\/p>\n

\u2014 Rise Academy (@RiseAcademy) March 28, 2014<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Taylor Bessick is leaving JMU. The news first broke on Twitter courtesy of Rise Academy, the prep school Bessick played at prior to coming to JMU. The DNR’s Nick Sunderland was able to confirm the story later and get some additional details. According to Sunderland, Bessick has indeed been granted his release from JMU. He is now free to talk to any school except those in the CAA. Matt Brady however, wants him to stay and is leaving the door open for the 6’9″ sophomore to return. Reports are that Bessick’s mind is made up and he’s leaving JMU though.<\/p>\n

Bessick displayed promise in limited minutes as a freshmen, but didn’t show the improvement some fans were expecting from him this past season. He even lost his starting spot to freshman Yohanny Dalembert down the stretch. He averaged 6.3 points and 4.7 rebounds per game. He had decent athleticism and somehow managed to shoot over 50% from the field, but seemed to struggle putting the ball in the hoop consistently.<\/p>\n

Bessick’s coach at Rise Academy, Brahiim Williams, told Sunderland that Bessick is leaving because “he wanted more touches<\/a>.” Fair enough. Everyone wants the basketball. Unfortunately, Bessick didn’t show the offensive game to really justify more touches. Williams went on to tell Sunderland that Bessick wants to end up a a D 1 program where they won’t make him a back to the basket player. Alright then. We hope that works out for him and sincerely wish him well wherever he ends up.<\/p>\n

Of most interest to Dukes fans, was Bessick’s response to Sunderland’s questions about his roommates, Ron Curry, Andre Nation, and Charles Cooke. Bessick said he doesn’t think any of them will be transferring. That would be good news if true, and might do something to squash some of the rumors out there.<\/p>\n

After the Bessick news broke, JMU freshman Tom Rivard’s name popped up on this list of 2014 transfers<\/a>. There has been no comment of any sort by anyone connected with JMU basketball on Rivard thus far though.<\/p>\n