Wednesday, March 01, 2000
UC pulls offer to arrested recruit
All-American guard charged with assault
BY MIKE DeCOURCY
The Cincinnati Enquirer
The University of Cincinnati rescinded the letter of intent and scholarship offer presented last fall to McDonald's All-American shooting guard Jerome Harper of Columbia, S.C., because of his arrest on simple assault charges.
A 6-foot-5 guard at Keenan High considered one of the top five prospects in prep basketball, Harper had not yet qualified academically to compete in the NCAA's Division I and was not expected to join the Bearcats next season.
His summer coach, Juan Ornelas, said Harper had wanted to maintain a relationship with UC and was looking for its direction on what junior college or prep school to attend to establish
his eligibility. Ornelas said he did not expect Harper would declare himself eligible for the NBA draft.
Ornelas was “surprised but not shocked” by UC's decision. He hoped the school would not take such a severe step because of the nature of the case against Harper; Ornelas said Harper's attorney asked for an immediate jury trial because he believes the facts of the case warrant a dismissal.
“I didn't think they'd go to those extremes,” Ornelas said. “It's going to be a big blow to him. This is a good way for them to protect their image. That's sad.”
Harper was arrested by four Columbia police officers Monday — the same day he was officially named a McDonald's All-American — during a Keenan basketball practice. He spent the night in the Richland County jail and was released on bond Tuesday.
According to The State newspaper in Columbia, the police report filed Feb.17 stated Saboor Rasheed, 37, had accused Carolyn Agustas — Rasheed's girlfriend and Harper's aunt — of taking $200 from him and heading to the home she shared with Harper.
Rasheed followed Agustas into the home. Harper explained to police that, once inside, Rasheed became “loud and boisterous” and used profanity. When Harper asked Rasheed to leave the house, Rasheed grabbed him around the neck. Harper defended himself, according to the report, by striking Rasheed in the left eye. The reporting officer determined the assault was “mutual.”
Harper injured his hand with the blow and had to miss one of Keenan's games. He was expected to play for Keenan Tuesday night in the second round of the South Carolina state playoffs.
Ornelas was upset police did not give Harper the opportunity to turn himself in, given that 10 days passed between the time of the incident and his arrest.
“If it hadn't been Jerome Harper,” Ornelas said, “you would never have heard of this.”
Athletic Director Bob Goin said in a release that UC's “best wishes are with this young man. However, Coach (Bob) Huggins felt this action is needed for the integrity of our basketball program.”
Huggins said the release covered what he wanted to say about Harper. “You need to do the right things,” he said.
UC took a similar action in the spring of 1998, when recruit Cory Powell was charged with joyriding while a student at Independence (Kan.) Community College. UC rescinded his letter of intent.
Harper is considered to be the top wing prospect in the senior class, with uncommon ballhandling skills for a player his size, extensive shooting range and superior athletic ability. “All the tools are present for future collegiate stardom,” recruiting analyst Brick Oettinger said of Harper.
Harper committed to UC in July, then transfered to Wash ington College Academy in Limestone, Tenn., to work on establishing eligibility to compete for the Bearcats in 2000-01.
He completed several summer-school courses to put himself in position to complete the require core subjects by the close of his senior year but then was asked to leave Washington in mid-September because of excessive tardiness and absences.
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 UC pulls offer to arrested recruit
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