SB Nation Houston - Rice Transfer Arsalan Kazemi Chooses Oregon Duckshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/46691/houston-fave.png2012-09-24T09:54:40-05:00http://houston.sbnation.com/rss/stream/31463872012-09-24T09:54:40-05:002012-09-24T09:54:40-05:00Rice Transfer Arsalan Kazemi Chooses Oregon Ducks
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<p>Forward <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/100233/arsalan-kazemi" class="sbn-auto-link">Arsalan Kazemi</a> has decided to transfer to Oregon and will begin classes at the university Monday after being granted his release from the Rice basketball team earlier this month, <a target="_blank" href="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/basketball/ncaa/09/23/arsalan-kazemi-oregon-ducks/index.html">according to Sports Illustrated's Luke Winn.</a></p>
<p>The 6'7 senior was also considering Kentucky, Florida, Cincinnati, Ohio State and Texas before settling on the Ducks. Additionally, Sports Illustrated is reporting that Kazemi plans on petitioning the NCAA for a hardship waiver so he would be allowed to play instantly for the team instead of sitting out a year.</p>
<p>Oregon would have quite the lanky starting lineup if Kazemi is allowed to join <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/100875/e-j-singler" class="sbn-auto-link">E.J. Singler</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/52256/tony-woods" class="sbn-auto-link">Tony Woods</a> and Waverly Austin for the 2012-2013 season.</p>
<p>Kazemi, the first native Iranian collegiate basketball player, is the sixth athlete to leave Rice's program this offseason along with center <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/124192/omar-oraby" class="sbn-auto-link">Omar Oraby</a> (transferred to USC), forward <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/124191/david-chadwick" class="sbn-auto-link">David Chadwick</a> (transferred to Valparaiso), forward <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/145977/jarelle-reischel" class="sbn-auto-link">Jarelle Reischel</a> (transferred to Rhode Island), guard <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/145979/dylan-ennis" class="sbn-auto-link">Dylan Ennis</a> (transferred to Villanova) and forward <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/145975/ahmad-ibrahim" class="sbn-auto-link">Ahmad Ibrahim</a> (joined Lebanese professional league).</p>
<p>Kazemi averaged 12.4 points and 10.3 rebound per game in his junior campaign for the Owls.</p>
<p><i>This story was originally published on <a target="_blank" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/2012/9/24/3382270/arsalan-kazemi-oregon-transfer-rice">SBNation.com</a>.</i></p>
https://houston.sbnation.com/2012/9/24/3382350/rice-transfer-arsalan-kazemi-chooses-oregon-ducksCody Ulm2012-09-18T09:05:37-05:002012-09-18T09:05:37-05:00Arsalan Kazemi Plans To Transfer From Rice Basketball
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<img alt="March 03, 2012; Houston, TX, USA; Rice Owls forward Arsalan Kazemi (14) drives to the basket against the Houston Cougars in the first half at Tudor Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-US PRESSWIRE" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/LH7qmJCUjddTtDmhVoIc8x3Q5H0=/0x32:954x668/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/photo_images/5798499/20120303_ajw_at5_095.jpg" />
<figcaption>March 03, 2012; Houston, TX, USA; Rice Owls forward Arsalan Kazemi (14) drives to the basket against the Houston Cougars in the first half at Tudor Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>Arsalan Kazemi told CBSSports.com that he will be leaving the Rice Owls basketball program and is considering six major schools.</p> <p>After three years with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/rice-owls">Rice Owls</a>, power forward <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/100233/arsalan-kazemi">Arsalan Kazemi</a> has decided that his time with the school is over and he'd like to play his senior season with a bigger program in 2012. </p>
<p>Kazemi, twice named to the All-Conference USA second team, <a href="http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/blog/eye-on-college-basketball/20215508/rice-star-arsalan-kazemi-to-transfer-has-six-schools-in-mind" target="_blank">told CBSSports.com that he has interest</a> in Kentucky, Texas, Oregon, Ohio State, Florida and Cincinnati, although those may not be the only teams in consideration. "I'm trying to go to a high-major program for my final season," Kazemi told CBSSports.com. "Those are the schools I'm interested in, but I'll also consider other schools."</p>
<p>During the 2011-12 season Kazemi 12.1 points and 10.3 rebounds per game, a step down from his 15.2 point with 11.0 rebound average during the 2010-11 season. Despite his contributions, though, the Rice Owls finished the season 8-8 in conference play and 19-16 overall before losing to Oakland in the quarterfinals of the CIT Tournament.</p>
<p><i>For more on this story, check out the SB Nation <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball">college basketball homepage</a> or the blog <a href="http://www.midmajormadness.com/">Mid-Major Madness</a>.</i></p>
https://houston.sbnation.com/rice-owls/2012/9/18/3351744/arsalan-kazemi-transfer-rice-basketball-kentuckyAdam Stites