Purnell tries to look ahead as Oglesby departs

CLEMSON — Vacationing at his Isle of Palms beach home, Clemson basketball coach Oliver Purnell’s breakfast was interrupted Tuesday by an unexpected phone call.

It was guard Terrence Oglesby, disclosing his decision to forego his final two years of eligibility and sign with a pro team in Italy or Spain.

“My reaction was, this is quick and a bit odd,” Purnell said in a conference call with reporters. “I would have loved to have had a chance to weigh in and give information and so on and so forth. But if he’s made up his mind to that degree, then so be it.”

Purnell sought to spin the situation forward, repeatedly referring to the situation as an opportunity for numerous players to step forward and have a positive impact next season.

But the intrigue lied in the details Purnell did not know — perhaps an indication of a disconnect between player and coach that figures to have played a role in Oglesby’s decision.

Purnell said he had no idea Oglesby was exploring the option of turning pro and that as recently as Saturday, the two had spoken regarding their displeasure with how Clemson’s season had ended.

During Tuesday’s call, Oglesby said the primary reason for his departure was that playing overseas would be his best route to the NBA, Purnell said — echoed in comments made by Oglesby’s father, Tony, to The State later in the day.

But Purnell lamented that he was not consulted by Oglesby before the decision was reached, adding it was clear Oglesby had leaned heavily on feedback from his family — presumably Tony, who played seven seasons in Europe.

More so than anyone else on the team, Oglesby frequently drew the ire of Purnell and teammates for his shot selection and defense. After the season, Purnell declared all starting jobs beyond forward Trevor Booker’s were up for grabs — a statement viewed to be directed toward Oglesby and point guard Demontez Stitt, the only other returning starters.

Asked if he thought Oglesby felt disrespected by either of those things, Purnell responded: “I’m not a mind-reader. He did not say that. And since I was surprised by the decision, I really don’t know.”

Oglesby, in Atlanta training with former Georgia Tech assistant Kevin Cantwell, is scheduled to leave Saturday for Italy and commence negotiations with interested clubs.

Purnell was just as vague about his plans to fill the shooting guard hole in the lineup and claimed he was not bothered by the late timing of Oglesby’s decision.

Tanner Smith, a versatile sophomore wing, and senior swingman David Potter have experience playing the perimeter, and Purnell said he could be inclined to use point guards Stitt and 5-foot-9 Andre Young in the backcourt at the same time.

Incoming freshman guard Donte Hill, touted for his defensive skills, also will be in the mix; plus, Purnell is interested in using either Booker or freshman Milton Jennings as a small forward in a big lineup.

Purnell harbored no illusion that Oglesby’s 3-point-shooting ability could be replaced by any team member. But he believes the Tigers will not necessarily be worse off, suggesting what they lose offensively could be compensated for in areas where Oglesby was not strong.

“We obviously lose his shooting, but at the same time, we can be longer and perhaps better defensively,” Purnell said. “Sometimes when you’re forced to do things differently, you can end up being better.”