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Basketball: Archie denied sixth year
South Carolina's Dominique Archie (21) is defended by La Salle's Rodney Green during their game Nov. 19, 2009, in Charleston.
Grace Beahm /ASSOCIATED PRESS
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Dominique Archies career at USC ended Tuesday not with a walk off the court but with a phone call from the NCAA.
Archies request for a sixth season of eligibility was denied by the NCAA.
The news was expected, though still a blow to Archie and the Gamecocks. He would have been the best player on next seasons team, which instead is in transition mode without Archie, and with senior guards Devan Downey and Brandis Raley-Ross having used their eligibility.
USC had the option to file an appeal but chose not to, according to Jennifer Stiles, USCs associate athletics director for compliance. Stiles said the school had provided all the information it could in its initial request.
I think we all went into it with a realistic sense of what the outcome might be, Stiles said. But we put forth the best case we could for Dominique.
The NCAA bylaws say in order for a player to receive an extra year, he must have missed two seasons for reasons beyond the control of the player and school.
In Archies case, he was apparently deemed to have miss one season, this past one, for such reasons. He sustained a season-ending knee injury in USCs fifth game, on Nov. 22 against Miami. The Gamecocks started 4-0 but went 11-16 without him.
Archie, a 6-foot-7 forward, redshirted his first season at USC, 2005-06, because he was not going to receive much playing time. He said last month he had injuries at the time but nothing outstanding.
In a statement issued by the team, Archie thanked the staff and the compliance office for their help in the process.
Im disappointed I wont be able to play next season as a Gamecock, but I leave with great memories, the statement read. I want to thank the fans for their support during my time at South Carolina.
After sitting out his first season, Archie started every game at USC leading up to the injury. He finishes his career with 1,013 points and 562 rebounds and ranks 10th in program history with 90 blocked shots. He was the teams most versatile player, capable of playing four positions, and was once called the most underrated frontcourt player in the SEC by Florida coach Billy Donovan.
Although we are disappointed Dominique wont be a member of the team next season, he will always be an important member of the Gamecock family, coach Darrin Horn said in a statement. He played a significant role in building the South Carolina program over his career. As always, we have the best interest of our players in mind, and we will continue to support Dominique in his future as an individual and with his professional career.
Tuesdays news means the Gamecocks will lose their four leading scorers from this season, including Mike Holmes, who was dismissed from the team on Jan. 1. They bring in five freshmen, and Nevada transfer Malik Cooke becomes eligible.
Archies absence also opens a scholarship for next year. The Gamecocks are committed to 12 scholarships, including Austin Steed, whom Horn has said will not return to the team but can remain on scholarship. Steed has told coaches he plans to remain at USC through December, when he would get his degree.
Archie is due to graduate in May. His playing options are limited due to the injury because he cannot hold tryouts for teams or attend pre-draft camps. De Pierce, Archies mentor and former AAU coach in Augusta, said the player has been doing light running and taking jump shots but lacks lateral mobility.
Hes just gonna sit back and take a deep breath, figure out whats the best plan for Dominique Archie, Pierce said.
Reach Emerson at (803) 771-8676.
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