Quinnipiac University sophomore point guard Kasim Chandler has been granted his release from the school, per NYC Buckets. Quinnipiac athletics would not provide additional comment.
Chandler was awarded the starting point guard role at the beginning of the 2014-2015 season when NCAA officials announced that Giovanni McClean, a Westchester Community College transfer, was ruled ineligible prior to the season.
Following an 0-4 MAAC start, head coach Tom Moore decided to change the starting lineup midway through January. Chandler was sent to the bench along with Ousmane Drame and Evan Conti. The Trenton, New Jersey-native averaged just 4.5 points, 2.8 assists, and 2.6 rebounds per game this season.
Freshman Aryon Hutton produced a career-high 16 points and a eight assists in a road loss to Iona on Jan. 6. Hutton assumed the starting point guard duties for the remainder of the season.
Chandler missed extended time during his freshman year after a lower body injury. He also did not play in this year’s MAAC Tournament.
Chandler is the 13th player to transfer in recent history. Since the beginning of the 2010-2011 season, 12 other players have left the program that has yet to earn its first berth to the NCAA Tournament. The players include Alex Jackson, Terrance Bobb-Jones, Kendrick Ray, Tariq Carey, Mike Gabriel, Dominique Langston, Lance Brown, William Harrison, Raheem May-Thomspon, Austin Alecxih, Nate Gause and Tevin Baskin.
With Chandler’s exit, it leaves Quinnipiac with just Hutton and freshman counterpart Dimitri Floras as the only returning guards for the 2015-2016 season. However, McClean is expected to be reinstated for next season.
