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Cooper Neese is transferring from Butler. The news of the 2017 commit’s decision to leave BU was first reported Sunday morning by Kyle Neddenriep of the Indianapolis Star.
Cooper Neese will transfer from Butler. Talked to him this morning. Had nothing but positives to say about Butler, but did not see good fit.
— Kyle Neddenriep (@KyleNeddenriep) October 8, 2017
WTHI’s Rick Semmler tacked onto the additional report of Neese’s transfer later on Sunday morning. Semmler stated that the root of Neese’s issues was simply due to not being able to find a “happy medium.” He also went out of his way to tell Semmler that the transfer decision “has nothing to do with the coaching staff.”
Just talked to Cooper Neese. He confirms he's transferring from Butler. He's says it's been very difficult stats to his college career
— Rick Semmler (@Rick_Sports10) October 8, 2017
Cooper Neese on transfer from Butler Basketball"Difficult finding happy median in basketball, classroom and with friends at Butler"
— Rick Semmler (@Rick_Sports10) October 8, 2017
Freshman Cooper Neese wanted to everyone to know his transfer from Butler Basketball has nothing to do with coaching staff.
— Rick Semmler (@Rick_Sports10) October 8, 2017
Obviously, these situations are always unfortunate. When it comes to Neese’s explanation, I’m certain that there are many out there, hoops stars or not, that have had these issues. Especially as a freshman. It only makes sense then that he has decided to transfer from the school. Hopefully, Neese finds the happy medium and happiness wherever he lands next.
As for how this impacts Butler this year, their class of 2017 is now downsized to three. The original group lost both Neese and four-style Kyle Young, who of course decommitted and then recommitted to the Ohio State Buckeyes. That was mostly due in part to Chris Holtmann taking the reigns in Columbus. This, obviously, is under different circumstances. Only Aaron Thompson, Christian David and Jerald Gillens-Butler remain now going forward. They will obviously have to be leaned upon in a big way for a team that may face some depth issues.
If they intend to use them, Butler now obviously has two open scholarships in the class of 2017.