Smalls to Leave Virginia Football Program
Virginia football coach Mike London announced today that rising sophomore quarterback Riko Smalls will be leaving the team and transferring following the conclusion of the current academic year.
A quarterback from Plano, Texas, Smalls did not see any playing time during
the 2009 season. He red-shirted the 2008 season. He has not participated with
the Virginia team during its current spring practice session that began March 15.
“Riko and I have decided that it is in his best interests to seek an opportunity that will allow him greater success in college,” London said.
Tristan Spurlock Leaving Virginia Basketball Program
Spurlock and UVa head coach Tony Bennett mutually agree on decision
Freshman guard/forward Tristan Spurlock (Woodbridge, Va.) is leaving the Virginia men’s basketball program. Spurlock and Virginia men’s head basketball coach Tony Bennett mutually agreed on the decision.
“After a long discussion with Tristan and his family we have mutually agreed that it is best for him to leave the Virginia basketball program,” Bennett said. “I appreciate what he’s done for UVa basketball and understand his desire for a different playing situation. I fully support his pursuit of his goals and he has my best wishes for the future.”
The 6-8 Spurlock played in 13 games for the Cavaliers during the 2009-10 season. He scored 31 points and had 10 rebounds. He shot 42.9 percent (12-28) from the field and 71.4 percent (5-7) from the free throw line.
“I appreciate my experience at Virginia, but in light of current circumstances and after discussing the situation with Coach Bennett we’ve reached a mutual decision that it’s in my best interest to seek a better situation relative to my goals,” Spurlock said. “I’ve enjoyed my UVa teammates and wish them the best. I’m especially appreciative of the Virginia fans and how they’ve supported me during my time at UVa.”
Spurlock will finish the semester at Virginia.
Sylven Landesberg Not Returning To Virginia
Landesberg planning to pursue his professional aspirations
Virginia men’s head basketball coach Tony Bennett announced Tuesday (March 23) that sophomore guard Sylven Landesberg (Flushing, N.Y.) is leaving the University of Virginia and will not complete the current semester.
“I have discussed Sylven’s future with the Landesberg family and been informed that he will be leaving the University of Virginia to pursue his professional aspirations,” Bennett said. “I am thankful for the significant contributions Sylven made to the Virginia basketball program and wish him success in his future endeavors.”
Landesberg led Virginia in average points, assists and minutes played per game in 2009-10. He averaged 17.3 points, 2.9 assists and 32.1 minutes played a game while playing in 27 games. Landesberg averaged 4.9 rebounds a game and shot 81.0 percent (111-137) from the free-throw line. He made 44.3 percent (166-375) of his shots from the field, including 38.3 percent (23-60) from three-point range.
Landesberg was a second-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference selection in 2010 and was also a member of the U.S. Basketball Writers Association (USBWA) All-District III Team. He earned ACC Player of the Week honors twice during the 2009-10 season.
During his two seasons in the Virginia program, Landesberg scored 930 points (16.9 ppg.), had 301 rebounds (5.5 rpg.) and 155 assists (2.8 apg.). He played in 55 games, starting 54, and averaged 33.2 minutes played a game. Landesberg shot 43.9 percent (316-719) from the field, including 35.1 percent (39-111) from three-point range, and 80.2 percent (259-323) from the free throw line.
As a freshman in 2008-09, Landesberg was the ACC Rookie of the Year, a unanimous selection to the 2009 All-ACC Freshmen Team and was a CBSsports.com second-team Freshman All-America selection. He earned ACC Rookie of the Week honors six times during the 2008-09 season.
Landesberg averaged 16.6 points, 6.0 rebounds 2.8 assists and 34.2 minutes played a game in 2008-09. He started 27 of Virginia’s 28 games that season. Landesberg led ACC freshmen in scoring and minutes played in 2008-09, and was third in rebounds and assists.
