NCAA 2003/4 Preseason Banter...

[sensei_hanson]

Tough times for Sir Shamrock's namesake:

Academic issues force Fisher to dismiss Burns

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ESPN.com news services


Evan Burns, the 2003 Mountain West Conference Freshman of the Year, was reportedly dropped from the San Diego State men's basketball program Thursday after failing to meet academic requirements.

SDSU head coach Steve Fisher was unavailable for comment, but the university is expected to release a statement Friday regarding Burns' future with the Aztecs.

A McDonald's All-American out of high school, Burns transferred to SDSU prior to the start of last season after originally signing with UCLA. Burns was released from his letter of intent with UCLA after the NCAA Clearinghouse questioned whether he had completed the minimum amount of core classes at Fairfax High. He was admitted to SDSU as a nonqualifier in 2002, and after the Aztecs won an appeal with the clearinghouse, he was declared eligible to play in early December.

Burns averaged 9.2 points and 5.1 rebounds as a freshman last season. He would have been SDSU's leading returning scorer off a team that went 16-14 and advanced to the second round of the NIT.

According to the San Diego Union-Tribune, Burns is currently enrolled in several summer-school classes. It is unclear whether the decision to drop Burns is temporary, indefinite or permanent. Burns is expected to remain on scholarship through the summer, but would have to pass all of his summer courses to become eligible this fall.

Burns is still rehabbing from knee surgery after suffering a torn ACL, a meniscus tear and bone contusion while playing in a on-campus pickup game in May. He was hoping to be healthy enough to play for the Aztecs by mid-December.