According to the University of Iowa Athletic Department, incoming point guard and Jess Settles age-alike contest winner Anthony Hubbard is transferring:
Junior college transfer Anthony Hubbard will transfer to another institution, the UI Athletics Department announced today.
Hubbard signed a National Letter of Intent to play basketball at the UI last spring. He is eligible to play two seasons at an NCAA Division I institution.
"Obviously, we're disappointed. We invested a substantial amount of time and energy in the recruitment of Anthony. The positive is that we learn today of Anthony's decision versus learning of it in August or September," said UI men's basketball coach Fran McCaffery.
"I truly appreciate the tremendous opportunity Coach McCaffery, the basketball staff and everyone at the University of Iowa provided me. The community and the school and the people were fantastic. However, at this time, I plan to work with my junior college coach and family to select another school perhaps closer to home," said Hubbard.
UI Director of Athletics Gary Barta said the UI has released Hubbard from his commitment with no restrictions or conditions. He can transfer to the institution of his choosing.
"I am disappointed for Fran, our staff and the other staff on our campus that were involved from the start on what was clearly a very unique recruiting process. It's unfortunate it hasn't worked out as we had hoped. We, of course, wish Anthony the very best," said Barta.
Hubbard's homesickness is peculiar, given his age and background and the fact that his final two schools were reportedly Iowa and Nebraska. However, there has been no mention of any trouble off the court and some glowing reviews on it, so there isn't another obvious cause for his decision. Regardless, given the amount of political capital he had to spend to get Hubbard enrolled, Fran has to be enraged. And we know how Fran can be when he's enraged.
So goodbye Anthony Hubbard. We hardly knew ye.