Having Received Release, Barney Mulling Options

Ron Bailey, Publisher

May 22, 2007 – Jemal Barney, left Baltimore last year for Providence College, with designs of playing in the Big East and graduating in four years. Reached at his Baltimore home recently, Barney, now 6’4” and weighing 200lbs, indicated he has received his release from that school for personal reasons, thereby opening an opportunity to transfer.

Barney, a comboy guard who averaged 2.4 points, 1.5 rebounds, and 9.4 minutes in 13 games last season shared his desire to transfer centers around occurrences related to the birth of his daughter, Janaya.

“The situation I was in up there was okay, I was cool with it” said Barney about his Providence experience, prior to the birth of his daughter, Janaya in February.

After leaving the team briefly to attend her birth, things changed in Barney’s view. “I was getting playing time before I left to see my daughter, but when I came back things changed”, he recalled.

Barney, a high flying scoring machine, is searching for a new college home.

In addition to that reaction, which in Barney’s estimation was “mind-boggling”, the health of his grandmother, Rebecca Adler - who suffers from diabetes - also played a role in his decision to leave Providence.

Resultantly, he plans to transfer to an institution “Most likely close to home”. Playing in a high profile environment is not important, as Barney noted “I’m not worried about a big conference, because I know about that already” via the Providence experience.

Currently local Charm City schools Loyola and Towson have both offered, while D.C.’s George Washington University has shown interest. From a non-local perspective, the University of Miami has as well. A decision is soon forthcoming, with Loyola possibly leading.

Presently, Barney is considering his options, while helping care for Janaya with her mother and his girlfriend, Tieana Boyd. In between that and looking after his grandmother, Barney works out individually and with his AAU/travel team, Cecil Kirk.

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