Nov. 11, 2005
University of Notre Dame men’s basketball coach Mike Brey has announced that junior Omari Isreal (Rockville, Md.) has left the basketball program, withdrawn from the University and will transfer to another school.
During the 2004-05 campaign, the 6-9, 235-pound forward averaged 1.4 points and 1.8 rebounds in his sophomore season. He scored a career-best five points against UCLA and had a personal-high six rebounds against Connecticut. Isreal missed his entire freshman year (the 2003-04 season) while recovering from knee surgery in February of ’03 for an injury suffered during his final season at Our Lady of Good Counsel.
He played 10 minutes in Notre Dame’s first exhibition game against Lewis on November 3 and finished with two points and four rebounds.
“I am disappointed that Omari has decided to leave Notre Dame, but I support the decision he has made,” Brey says. “I understand his thinking; a young man like Omari owes it to himself to be happy.
“We have all appreciated his contributions to our basketball team and the way in which he has represented himself and the program. We will help him in his transfer to find a school that is a good fit both academically and athletically.”
“I believe that it is time for a change and I want to be able to move on with my basketball career,” Isreal says. “I have enjoyed my experience at Notre Dame and wish my teammates and the coaching staff all the best during the upcoming season and in the future. I always will remember my time here as a member of the Irish basketball program.”