PROVIDENCE — Congratulations, NCAA.
Despite all of your rhetoric about trying to keep players from leaving college early for the NBA, you’ve probably just driven an underclassmen
into the arms of the draft.
St. John’s sophomore point guard Erick Barkley, who the NCAA ruled is ineligible for three games for swapping cars with a friend, is so disgusted with the petty rules a college athlete must deal with that he won’t return for his junior year, a source told The Post. St. John’s is appealing the ruling but even if it wins, Barkley is leaving St. John’s after this season.
“He said either way he’s leaving,” said the source. “He said there’s absolutely no turning back now.”
Of course, Barkley is extremely upset over the recent turn of events that yesterday left him waiting at a New York area airport only to learn he could not fly to Providence to join the Red Storm, which defeated the Friars 61-46 last night.
Just weeks ago, when the Chicago Bulls were in town to play the Knicks, Barkley was thinking twice about the NBA after talking to former St. John’s star Ron Artest about the rigors of playing an 82-game schedule. Artest left St. John’s after his sophomore season. He was the 15th player taken in the draft and is one of the pleasant rookie surprises in the league.
St. John’s coach Mike Jarvis was asked after the signing date if he expected Barkley to return for his junior year.
“I hope Erick is faced with that decision,” said Jarvis. “Because if Erick is faced with that decision, it will mean he had a great season. So I see that as a good problem and it’s one we’ll address at the appropriate time.”
The Red Storm has a commitment from Christ the King point guard Omar Cook to attend St. John’s next season. He would take Barkley’s place. Barkley also played at Christ the King.
NBA sources have told The Post that the 6-foot-1, 185-pounder could benefit from another year of college ball. He is stronger than he was a year ago and his outside shot is better but both could still use improvement by NBA standards.
But the NCAA’s decision to rule him ineligible have Barkley ready to go pro after this season. He can’t understand why the NCAA would take such a harsh view of his swapping his 1996 Jeep Cherokee for a friend’s 1995 Suburban. The friend is a long-time family friend, who is also the coach of a Rucker League summer team.
After the Red Storm’s win over Providence, Jarvis mused about what the effect of this ordeal might have on Barkley.
“Who knows, maybe when it’s all said and done, Erick might decide he wants to enter the legal system to help poor people,” said Jarvis. “People who can’t defend themselves. So who knows what may come out of it [the NCAA’s ruling.]”
The NBA is what may come.