Vanderbilt’s Charles Hinkle To Transfer For More Playing Time

On Tuesday December 29th Vanderbilt Head Basketball Coach Kevin Stallings announced that red shirt Sophomore guard Charles Hinkle had left the team and would be transferring in pursuit of more playing time.

In a statement posted on Vanderbilt’s athletics website, Stallings says "Charles is a great kid with an outstanding work ethic who comes from a good family, and we wish him the best. We will do whatever we can to help Charles in his future basketball endeavors"

The statement didn’t say much else, other than to note the reserve two guard’s stats. A representative of the athletic department that I reached by email Tuesday evening said that would be all that the University had to say on the matter.

However, Coach Stalling was quoted by the City Paper as saying:

“I love Charles. I’ve held him and his attitude up to my son as one to emulate…”

“…He just wants to play more, and I understand that. He looks around and only one perimeter player leaves by the time he graduates. … I think he looked into the future and questioned and wondered whether things would improve for him from a playing time standpoint. He couldn’t be certain they would.”

In his first year Hinkle averaged 2.0 points and 8.4 minutes in 25 of 31 games in which he played. This year, his time was cut in half to 4.8 minutes where he averaged 1.4 points and 0.5 rebounds per game. Hinkle was considered a defensive specialist who contributed the most at guarding opponents players at multiple positions.

Vanderbiltsportsline.com reports that with three new incoming signees, “Kyle Fuller, a 6'1 point guard from Moreno Valley, CA, Josh Henderson, a 6'11 center from Roanoke, VA, and Rod Odom, a 6'8 forward from Bellport, N.Y., the Commodores where over extended on their 13 allowed NCAA scholarships for basketball. Hinkle’s move frees up space in that department for next season.

Hinkle attended practice on Monday, but reportedly had post practice discussions with Coach Stallings about his status. He then did not return for practice on Tuesday and his immediate transfer was announced.

Transferring now will allow Hinkle to play next season at a new school, just about the time conference play is starting; after sitting out the NCAA mandatory 1 year, as oppose to waiting until the end of the season, forcing him to miss all of next season.

There is no word yet on where Hinkle will transfer to. Read more: http://www.blogdoctor.me/2007/02/expandable-post-summaries.html#ixzz0fvTXmFSF