Memphis Releases Highly Touted Freshman Jelan Kendrick

University of Memphis’ second year head coach Josh Pastner has had to make his toughest decision to date by deciding to cut ties with one of this season’s Top 20 rated recruits Jelan Kendrick. After giving Kendrick multiple opportunities to comply with team rules, the school chose to release him rather than place him on another suspension heading into the regular season.

Kendrick was suspended for 2 weeks of the preseason due to “personal matters”, but many team sources revealed that Kendrick repeatedly refused to follow team rules, was disruptive, and oft times belligerent towards teammates and coaches. After also getting counseling and taking 2 weeks to “get his head straight” coach Pastner re-instated Kendrick for the Tigers final preseason game against Christian Brothers University (I know, not exactly stiff competition) where he chipped in 8 points and 2 rebounds in limited minutes.

But upon returning back to campus for the following day’s practice, Kendrick was once again back to his old ways abusing teammates and the coaching staff. Jelan reportedly was so out of line that he had to be forceably removed from practice, before eventually being allowed to return. He then the following day mouthed off to an assistant coach, prompting his permanent exodus from the program.

Here is Kendrick’s statement on the incident:

“Coach and I met and we were like at a crossroads. So we talked. It was a short and respectful conversation and we agreed that it would probably be best that we parted ways,” Kendrick said, one day after he was suspended by Pastner for the Tigers’ season opener against Centenary. “I made my share of mistakes, but I love the fans and my teammates and I’m sad that we are where we are. But it’s probably for the best.”

There’s no doubting that losing a player of Kendrick’s talent has to hurt a program, but the Tigers remaining roster is oozing with talent with the likes of upperclassmen Wes Witherspoon and Will Coleman, along with a bevy of elite level freshmen led by Will Barton, Tarik Black and point guard Joe Jackson.

What’s next for Kendrick? He is sticking around Memphis for the first semester, then hopes to transfer to another school for next season beginning in December. Hopefully he gets himself under control and doesn’t become yet another statistic as a player who couldn’t control his emotions and takes for granted the opportunities before him. Surely some school will take a flyer on the former #15 rated player in the 2010 Class.

Check out Jelan Kendrick serving up a poster dunk in HS (#3 on list):

Allen Moll has been a lifelong NBA and NCAA College Basketball fan who watches and studies games religiously, and coaches youth basketball in his native Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania.  Allen also provides content to Bleacherreport.com, Upperdeckblog.com, in addition to being a tenured NBA and NCAA columnist for TheHoopDoctors.com.