Jim Cowsert-USA Today Sports
After two lackluster seasons at West Virginia, 5-foot-11 point guard Jabarie Hinds needed a change of scenery. The native of Mount Vernon, New York was looking elsewhere after making his decision to transfer public and earlier in the week was reportedly down to either UMass or St. Joseph’s.
Well, according to SNY.tv‘s Adam Zagoria, the Minutemen have emerged as the winners in the race for Hinds’ services:
Jabarie Hinds is headed to UMass over St Joe’s, he tells @snytv
— Adam Zagoria (@AdamZagoria) April 25, 2013
Hinds averaged 7.4 points per game in each of his first two seasons at West Virginia and will still have two years of eligibly remaining at UMass. The biggest key to Hinds’ commitment however, will be his down the line production. Per NCAA rules on transfers, Hinds will be forced to sit out the 2013-14 season provided he cannot get any sort of waiver to play immediately. Starting point and all-conference performer Chaz Williams is preparing for his senior season at UMass in 2013-14, so Hinds fits the bill to perfection in terms of replacing him the following season. In addition, the UMass back court also features Western Kentucky transfer Derrick Gordon, who is eligible next season after sitting out this past year.
Head coach Derek Kellogg is building a consistent threat in Amherst, due in large part to the addition of some recent transfers. In fact, Williams himself was a former transfer by way of Hofstra. Now he has the potential to be amongst the early favorites for A-10 Player of the Year next season.
Follow Paul Seaver on Twitter: @PaulSeaverRS
