Roburt Sallie, a junior guard for the University of Memphis, has announced that he will not return to Memphis to finish out his final year of eligibility. "I am grateful for my two years in Memphis, and no matter where I go on from here, Memphis and Tiger basketball fans will hold a special place in my heart," said Sallie. He plans to either pursue a career in Europe or to finish his final year of NCAA eligibility at a school that is closer to his home in Sacramento, California. He would be eligible to play immediately assuming that he graduates in August as planned.
Sallie played with the Tigers for two seasons after transferring from Laurenberg Prep in North Carolina. He started in 21 of the 70 games he played for Memphis. During that time, he averaged 8.2 points and 1.2 steals. He also had a field goal percentage of 43.2%, but was slightly more effective from beyond the arc at 43.8%. Coach Pastner had this to say regarding Sallie's decision, "Tiger Nation should be appreciative of what Roburt did while wearing the Blue and Gray. Roburt gave his all in his two years here, and I am thankful for the opportunity to have coached him."
The game most Tiger fans will remember him for is the one against Cal St Northridge in the first round of the 2009 NCAA tournament. During this game, he hit ten three pointers, the second most three pointers ever made in the first round of the NCAA tournament.
There are likely several factors involved in his decision to leave, the most obvious being his age. If he returned, he would play next season as a 25 year old. Also, he is graduating in August. There is also the fact that his playing time would likely decrease thanks to the stellar recruiting class that Pastner has assembled. Possibly most influential, however, is the fact that his father is battling cancer. If he does return to college, he will certainly be closer to his father.
Sallie contributed a lot to the University of Memphis, and he will be missed.
Showing posts with label roburt sallie. Show all posts
Showing posts with label roburt sallie. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Player Performance
Elliot Williams:
By far the best player on the team, and he showed it against LeMoyne Owen. When the Tiger's where starting slow, and everyone had some anxiety about initiating a drive, Williams stepped up. He scored the first two points of the night, free throws. He is obviously not afraid to make a play through contact. Williams led the Tigers in scoring with 24 points and 8 of 11 from the floor. Also hit 3 of 4 from behind the arc and 5 of 6 free throws. Tied for highest assists with 6. Had a few too many turnovers, however, and I did not see the pesky on the ball defending he is so highly regarded for.
Wesley Witherspoon
Definitely the second best player on the team. The Tigers will need him and Williams to perform consistently if they want to win. He solidified his status as a playmaker in this game. It shows as he is tied with Williams for most assists with 6. Second leading scorer with 13 points. Second leading rebounder with 7 boards. Almost had some foul trouble in early second half but managed to keep it under control after that. Very versatile, very athletic, and very confident. Considering what a slow first half he had, his stats are phenomenal. If he learns to play with a high effort every minute of every game, he could become more of an asset than Williams.
Pierre Henderson-Niles
Leading rebounder with 11 boards. It should be noted, however, that four of these rebounds came one after another as he would shoot, miss, rebound, and repeat. The main thing about Niles was he looked a lot better. He can jump, he can run, and he played 20 minutes without looking tired.
Willie Kemp
Very strong defense. He tripped up the guards fairly consistently. 3 assists to 1 turnover. Did not have an extremely strong night offensively, but he shot 4 of 5 from the field. Kemp did play with a lot of confidence, which is also true for the rest of the senior class. 1 of 1 from behind the arc and 3 of 3 from the free throw line. Scored 12 points.
Roburt Sallie
Showed something we rarely saw from him last year, a great ability to drive. Sallie had a suprisingly low 3 point percentage as he only hit 1 of 3 from behind the arc. He did, however, his 5 of 10 overall. Scored 11 points.
Doneal Mack
His best attribute was his smoothering defense. When he was trying, he made LeMoyne Owen's guards look foolish. Hit 1 of 1 from behind the arch.
Will Coleman
Pretty much what was expected. No outstanding stats, but he showed amazing athleticism. Definitely slammed a few alley-oops. Almost had some foul trouble early on that had hit sit out a good portion of the first half. Needs to do a better job of rebounding. Scored 11 points, mostly from other Tigers' missed shots.
DJ Stephens
Did good. A lot better than I expected. I had my doubts about his ability to play power forward with his lack of height, but when you see him stretch his arms, you know it won't be a problem. Very athletic. Dunks with ease and is pretty fast. Wouldn't be surprised to see him contribute significant minutes this season.
Drew Barham
Almost non existent. 0 for 3 from the field, two of them from behind the arc, but he's a freshman, and it's early. This is what exhibitions are for.
By far the best player on the team, and he showed it against LeMoyne Owen. When the Tiger's where starting slow, and everyone had some anxiety about initiating a drive, Williams stepped up. He scored the first two points of the night, free throws. He is obviously not afraid to make a play through contact. Williams led the Tigers in scoring with 24 points and 8 of 11 from the floor. Also hit 3 of 4 from behind the arc and 5 of 6 free throws. Tied for highest assists with 6. Had a few too many turnovers, however, and I did not see the pesky on the ball defending he is so highly regarded for.
Wesley Witherspoon
Definitely the second best player on the team. The Tigers will need him and Williams to perform consistently if they want to win. He solidified his status as a playmaker in this game. It shows as he is tied with Williams for most assists with 6. Second leading scorer with 13 points. Second leading rebounder with 7 boards. Almost had some foul trouble in early second half but managed to keep it under control after that. Very versatile, very athletic, and very confident. Considering what a slow first half he had, his stats are phenomenal. If he learns to play with a high effort every minute of every game, he could become more of an asset than Williams.
Pierre Henderson-Niles
Leading rebounder with 11 boards. It should be noted, however, that four of these rebounds came one after another as he would shoot, miss, rebound, and repeat. The main thing about Niles was he looked a lot better. He can jump, he can run, and he played 20 minutes without looking tired.
Willie Kemp
Very strong defense. He tripped up the guards fairly consistently. 3 assists to 1 turnover. Did not have an extremely strong night offensively, but he shot 4 of 5 from the field. Kemp did play with a lot of confidence, which is also true for the rest of the senior class. 1 of 1 from behind the arc and 3 of 3 from the free throw line. Scored 12 points.
Roburt Sallie
Showed something we rarely saw from him last year, a great ability to drive. Sallie had a suprisingly low 3 point percentage as he only hit 1 of 3 from behind the arc. He did, however, his 5 of 10 overall. Scored 11 points.
Doneal Mack
His best attribute was his smoothering defense. When he was trying, he made LeMoyne Owen's guards look foolish. Hit 1 of 1 from behind the arch.
Will Coleman
Pretty much what was expected. No outstanding stats, but he showed amazing athleticism. Definitely slammed a few alley-oops. Almost had some foul trouble early on that had hit sit out a good portion of the first half. Needs to do a better job of rebounding. Scored 11 points, mostly from other Tigers' missed shots.
DJ Stephens
Did good. A lot better than I expected. I had my doubts about his ability to play power forward with his lack of height, but when you see him stretch his arms, you know it won't be a problem. Very athletic. Dunks with ease and is pretty fast. Wouldn't be surprised to see him contribute significant minutes this season.
Drew Barham
Almost non existent. 0 for 3 from the field, two of them from behind the arc, but he's a freshman, and it's early. This is what exhibitions are for.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Who should start point guard for the Memphis Tigers?
The three names that are most commonly tossed around are Willie Kemp, Elliot Williams, and Doneal Mack. Roburt Sallie and Wesley Witherspoon are certaintly possibilities, but I wouldn't bet on it.
Sallie does a great job as a shooter. Also, his ability to energize the offense off the bench shows his perfect role for this particular team. Witherspoon could mature into a decent point guard. With his skill set, I find it difficult to believe coach Pastner would use him in this way unless he adapted it to a Penny Hardaway style point forward position.
Most likely, Elliot Williams will be the starting point guard for the Memphis Tigers. His more natural position is shooting guard, but in the tigers team, he could work out quite well at point. I mean hey, it worked out for Tyreke Evans.
In all honesty, I personally feel that Willie Kemp should be given the first chance to start as the Memphis Tigers point guard. During his freshman year he started, and that year the Tiger's team made it to the Elite 8.
During his sophmore year, he lost confidence when losing his role to one-and-done player Derrick Rose. He did, however, do a fairly good job as a shooting guard as he developed an admirable 3-point shot.
By his junior year, Kemp was playing with a tremendous lack of confidence. Once again he lost his starting point guard position to a one-and-done player by the name of Tryeke Evans. Even worse, Kemp struggled to find the 3-point shot he had developed during his sophmore year.
While Pastner will most likely use an offensive style similar to the Dribble Drive Motion that Memphis basketball has become famous for, he will probably also run slightly more set plays, and implement a Lute Olsen style Motion Offense. Willie Kemp will fit into that style of play better and will most likely gain confidence by working with a player-developement driven coach. The fact that no one and done players threaten to take his spot, will work to his advantage as well.
Then, Elliot Williams could take on an Andre Allen type role. Most of the time he would play as a shooting guard while Kemp played at point. When needed, Kemp could take a break. Then Williams would man the point guard position while Sallie jumped in for that shooter role he plays so well.
Sallie does a great job as a shooter. Also, his ability to energize the offense off the bench shows his perfect role for this particular team. Witherspoon could mature into a decent point guard. With his skill set, I find it difficult to believe coach Pastner would use him in this way unless he adapted it to a Penny Hardaway style point forward position.
Most likely, Elliot Williams will be the starting point guard for the Memphis Tigers. His more natural position is shooting guard, but in the tigers team, he could work out quite well at point. I mean hey, it worked out for Tyreke Evans.
In all honesty, I personally feel that Willie Kemp should be given the first chance to start as the Memphis Tigers point guard. During his freshman year he started, and that year the Tiger's team made it to the Elite 8.
During his sophmore year, he lost confidence when losing his role to one-and-done player Derrick Rose. He did, however, do a fairly good job as a shooting guard as he developed an admirable 3-point shot.
By his junior year, Kemp was playing with a tremendous lack of confidence. Once again he lost his starting point guard position to a one-and-done player by the name of Tryeke Evans. Even worse, Kemp struggled to find the 3-point shot he had developed during his sophmore year.
While Pastner will most likely use an offensive style similar to the Dribble Drive Motion that Memphis basketball has become famous for, he will probably also run slightly more set plays, and implement a Lute Olsen style Motion Offense. Willie Kemp will fit into that style of play better and will most likely gain confidence by working with a player-developement driven coach. The fact that no one and done players threaten to take his spot, will work to his advantage as well.
Then, Elliot Williams could take on an Andre Allen type role. Most of the time he would play as a shooting guard while Kemp played at point. When needed, Kemp could take a break. Then Williams would man the point guard position while Sallie jumped in for that shooter role he plays so well.
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