TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) -- Taking advantage of a new NCAA rule, fifth-year senior guard Kevin Kruger announced Friday that he is transferring from Arizona State to UNLV so he can play for his father.
Kruger, the Sun Devils' leading scorer last season, said he made the decision to play for Lon Kruger at UNLV after learning about the new rule, Proposal 2005-54.
The rule allows a player to transfer from one Division I program to another and play immediately if they have earned an undergraduate degree in four years and still have one year of eligibility left.
"The NCAA's new legislation has allowed me to play for my father, something I have always wanted to do," Kruger said in a statement. "I want the ASU community to understand I appreciate all that Coach Sendek has done for me in the past few months and what he will do for Arizona State. This was an extremely tough decision because of him and the players. After considering my options, I want to play for my father for my final year. Finishing my degree in four years and the recent passing of the NCAA's new legislation has allowed me to do this, and after thinking over the options this is what I want to do."
Herb Sendek took over at Arizona State in April, replacing Rob Evans, who had a 119-120 record in eight seasons with the Sun Devils. Sendek had been the coach at North Carolina State, leading the Wolfpack to the NCAA tournament the last five seasons.
Kruger averaged 15 points in 39 minutes last season and was an All-Pac-10 honorable mention selection. Kruger, who sat out his freshman season as a redshirt, graduated last week with a major in justice studies.
Under NCAA transfer rules, player have to sit an academic year when changing schools.
Kruger, the Sun Devils' leading scorer last season, said he made the decision to play for Lon Kruger at UNLV after learning about the new rule, Proposal 2005-54.
The rule allows a player to transfer from one Division I program to another and play immediately if they have earned an undergraduate degree in four years and still have one year of eligibility left.
"The NCAA's new legislation has allowed me to play for my father, something I have always wanted to do," Kruger said in a statement. "I want the ASU community to understand I appreciate all that Coach Sendek has done for me in the past few months and what he will do for Arizona State. This was an extremely tough decision because of him and the players. After considering my options, I want to play for my father for my final year. Finishing my degree in four years and the recent passing of the NCAA's new legislation has allowed me to do this, and after thinking over the options this is what I want to do."
Herb Sendek took over at Arizona State in April, replacing Rob Evans, who had a 119-120 record in eight seasons with the Sun Devils. Sendek had been the coach at North Carolina State, leading the Wolfpack to the NCAA tournament the last five seasons.
Kruger averaged 15 points in 39 minutes last season and was an All-Pac-10 honorable mention selection. Kruger, who sat out his freshman season as a redshirt, graduated last week with a major in justice studies.
Under NCAA transfer rules, player have to sit an academic year when changing schools.
