It's Official Galindo Leaves KU

**Mr. Kotter** · 04-04-2005, 11:39 PM

Too far from home and mommy, it appears...

http://www.kusports.com/news/mens_ba...l/story/114009

Men's Basketball

Galindo opts to leave KU basketball behind
By Gary Bedore, Assistant Sports Editor

Tuesday, April 5, 2005

Alex Galindo has decided to leave Kansas University after one season to play basketball closer to his native Puerto Rico.

"I feel I need a change of scenery to get closer to home," Galindo, KU's 6-foot-7 freshman guard/forward from Mayaguez, said Monday in announcing his plans to transfer to an unnamed school -- possibly Florida International -- at the end of the semester.

"I need a red-shirt year to get stronger and to develop my game. My mind is still open to where I will go, but hopefully it will be resolved in the next few weeks."

Galindo, who averaged 4.3 points and 1.7 boards while playing in 23 games, indeed has made it clear he's itching to play nearer to Puerto Rico.

"I do know he made a deal of it that he'd like to get back closer to his roots, which is understandable," KU coach Bill Self said, indicating walk-on Christian Moody would be awarded Galindo's scholarship.

Galindo's mom, Socorro, said her son's only problem with KU was the location.

"It's not anything to analyze. He doesn't have problems with the coaches or players. He doesn't have any bad feelings. He's just not happy," Socorro said. "I do know he misses (home).

"It was hard, real expensive (to visit)," she added. "If he goes to a Florida school, it will be a lot easier.

"It's a great university and program, but he wasn't happy. A lot of things could have influenced him wanting to leave. There's not the Latin atmosphere there he was accustomed to."

Galindo, who played two years of high school ball at St. Benedict's in Newark, N.J., may transfer to Florida International, in Miami, to play for coach Sergio Rouco, a friend who was instrumental in bringing him to the U.S. The University of Florida is another possibility.

"He has to analyze schools, see who has spots available and make trips and do recruiting again," Socorro said.

Self said he would continue recruiting, even though Moody will get the last scholarship.

KU's coach said Monday that all of his returning players had said they'd be back, including J.R. Giddens and Russell Robinson, subjects of NBA and transfer rumors.

"We are full. We'll continue recruiting guys, but we don't anticipate anybody leaving," Self said.

Self is thrilled to be able to reward Moody, a walk-on who was a starter this past season.

"That was the whole deal all along. We needed one to become available to give Christian a scholarship," Self said. "One has become available, which Christian has earned."

Self said he learned of Galindo's unhappiness after the players returned from spring break. Wednesday, before leaving for the Final Four, Self told Galindo to think about it over the weekend.

"I think personally it's a good decision," Self said. "We are not desperate like we were last year (when David Padgett announced sudden transfer). Last year, we were trying to fill some voids."

Self stressed he didn't like to see players leave, but it was part of the game.

"This is the first kid I've recruited it happened (to at Kansas)," Self said. "It's the nature of the business. It's going to happen again. I don't want it to happen, but he's gotten an opportunity to have an impact. He knows there's certain things we expect. He chose not to be a part of that. I do think this ... Christian Moody deserves a scholarship."

He will miss Galindo.

"He's a nice kid," Self said. "We enjoyed Alex this past year. Losing his summer to a broken wrist, and over a month of preseason workouts due to a pulled groin, certainly slowed his development. We are very appreciative of Alex's efforts throughout the season we wish him nothing but success in his future endeavors."

And Galindo will miss KU.

"I enjoyed my freshman year," Galindo said. "It had its ups and downs, but overall it was a learning experience. I wish Kansas and its fans nothing but success."

chappy · 04-04-2005, 11:56 PM

man sounds like such a baby, but i will miss him. damn he was great with the tre's

DaWolf · 04-05-2005, 03:26 AM

Self didn't sound too sad to be losing him. This opens up an extra scholly for next year (since Moody will eat it this year as a senior). And apparently next year is a stronger year in terms of HS talent. As far as Galindo, this incoming class has a couple of supposedly good players who can shoot the three, plus Case is coming off of his redshirt year, and hopefully Giddens can find himself in this offseason. Defensively, Galindo was a liability. He's gotta get a lot better.

Good luck to him...

Braincase · 04-05-2005, 06:03 AM

If Galindo needs to go someplace else to be happy, I wish him the best of luck. In the meantime, I'm glad we have a coach who over-recruits every year, instead of every other year.

Simplex3 · 04-05-2005, 06:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Braincase

In the meantime, I'm glad we have a coach who over-recruits every year, instead of every other year.

bravo, bravo!

**Saulbadguy** · 04-05-2005, 06:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaWolf

Self didn't sound too sad to be losing him. This opens up an extra scholly for next year (since Moody will eat it this year as a senior). And apparently next year is a stronger year in terms of HS talent. As far as Galindo, this incoming class has a couple of supposedly good players who can shoot the three, plus Case is coming off of his redshirt year, and hopefully Giddens can find himself in this offseason. Defensively, Galindo was a liability. He's gotta get a lot better.

Good luck to him...

Case is a guard.

The 3 spot rotation will consist of

Giddens (starter)
Downs
Wright (maybe Wright at the 4)?

Galindo was put at the 4 this year, where he wasn't very good defensively.

Eh...

**Lzen** · 04-05-2005, 07:38 AM

Well I feel a little better about this after reading that story. I didn't realize that Moody hadn't received a scholarship as of yet. I was under the impression that he had already received it. Aw well, this works out for the best, I suppose. Good luck, Alex. We were lucky to have you.

DaWolf · 04-05-2005, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saulbadguy

Case is a guard.

The 3 spot rotation will consist of

Giddens (starter)
Downs
Wright (maybe Wright at the 4)?

Galindo was put at the 4 this year, where he wasn't very good defensively.

Eh...

Yeah, Galindo wasn't really well off at any spot this year. By Case I just meant that he might be a guy who could fill in the role of what Galindo would have probably done, IE come in for a few minutes and provide that long distance shot, assuming he's even going to see any PT this year. Galindo may have seen the writing on the wall in terms of PT this year and just decided to go elsewhere...

**ChiTown** · 04-05-2005, 07:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaWolf

Yeah, Galindo wasn't really well off at any spot this year. By Case I just meant that he might be a guy who could fill in the role of what Galindo would have probably done, IE come in for a few minutes and provide that long distance shot, assuming he's even going to see any PT this year. Galindo may have seen the writing on the wall in terms of PT this year and just decided to go elsewhere...

Not a big deal for KU at all. Galindo was a novelty player without a true position. They have MUCH better talent coming in than Galindo. He knew it, and bolted.

Eleazar · 04-05-2005, 07:51 AM

FIU eh... a Sun Belt conf team?

**Saulbadguy** · 04-05-2005, 08:01 AM

FIU..that'd be disasterous.

ROYC75 · 04-05-2005, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiTown

Not a big deal for KU at all. Galindo was a novelty player without a true position. They have MUCH better talent coming in than Galindo. He knew it, and bolted.

That's it right there........ nuff said.

04-04-2005, 11:39 PM
Mr. Kotter The Dude Abides Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Dakota Country Casino cash: $5715285	It's Official Galindo Leaves KU Too far from home and mommy, it appears... http://www.kusports.com/news/mens_ba...l/story/114009 Men's Basketball Galindo opts to leave KU basketball behind By Gary Bedore, Assistant Sports Editor Tuesday, April 5, 2005 Alex Galindo has decided to leave Kansas University after one season to play basketball closer to his native Puerto Rico. "I feel I need a change of scenery to get closer to home," Galindo, KU's 6-foot-7 freshman guard/forward from Mayaguez, said Monday in announcing his plans to transfer to an unnamed school -- possibly Florida International -- at the end of the semester. "I need a red-shirt year to get stronger and to develop my game. My mind is still open to where I will go, but hopefully it will be resolved in the next few weeks." Galindo, who averaged 4.3 points and 1.7 boards while playing in 23 games, indeed has made it clear he's itching to play nearer to Puerto Rico. "I do know he made a deal of it that he'd like to get back closer to his roots, which is understandable," KU coach Bill Self said, indicating walk-on Christian Moody would be awarded Galindo's scholarship. Galindo's mom, Socorro, said her son's only problem with KU was the location. "It's not anything to analyze. He doesn't have problems with the coaches or players. He doesn't have any bad feelings. He's just not happy," Socorro said. "I do know he misses (home). "It was hard, real expensive (to visit)," she added. "If he goes to a Florida school, it will be a lot easier. "It's a great university and program, but he wasn't happy. A lot of things could have influenced him wanting to leave. There's not the Latin atmosphere there he was accustomed to." Galindo, who played two years of high school ball at St. Benedict's in Newark, N.J., may transfer to Florida International, in Miami, to play for coach Sergio Rouco, a friend who was instrumental in bringing him to the U.S. The University of Florida is another possibility. "He has to analyze schools, see who has spots available and make trips and do recruiting again," Socorro said. Self said he would continue recruiting, even though Moody will get the last scholarship. KU's coach said Monday that all of his returning players had said they'd be back, including J.R. Giddens and Russell Robinson, subjects of NBA and transfer rumors. "We are full. We'll continue recruiting guys, but we don't anticipate anybody leaving," Self said. Self is thrilled to be able to reward Moody, a walk-on who was a starter this past season. "That was the whole deal all along. We needed one to become available to give Christian a scholarship," Self said. "One has become available, which Christian has earned." Self said he learned of Galindo's unhappiness after the players returned from spring break. Wednesday, before leaving for the Final Four, Self told Galindo to think about it over the weekend. "I think personally it's a good decision," Self said. "We are not desperate like we were last year (when David Padgett announced sudden transfer). Last year, we were trying to fill some voids." Self stressed he didn't like to see players leave, but it was part of the game. "This is the first kid I've recruited it happened (to at Kansas)," Self said. "It's the nature of the business. It's going to happen again. I don't want it to happen, but he's gotten an opportunity to have an impact. He knows there's certain things we expect. He chose not to be a part of that. I do think this ... Christian Moody deserves a scholarship." He will miss Galindo. "He's a nice kid," Self said. "We enjoyed Alex this past year. Losing his summer to a broken wrist, and over a month of preseason workouts due to a pulled groin, certainly slowed his development. We are very appreciative of Alex's efforts throughout the season we wish him nothing but success in his future endeavors." And Galindo will miss KU. "I enjoyed my freshman year," Galindo said. "It had its ups and downs, but overall it was a learning experience. I wish Kansas and its fans nothing but success."
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04-04-2005, 11:56 PM	#2
chappy Mey Luv Yu Yong Time!!!! Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Wichita Casino cash: $10004900	man sounds like such a baby, but i will miss him. damn he was great with the tre's __________________
Posts: 594

04-05-2005, 03:26 AM	#3
DaWolf Cry havoc... Join Date: Aug 2000 Casino cash: $10007725	Self didn't sound too sad to be losing him. This opens up an extra scholly for next year (since Moody will eat it this year as a senior). And apparently next year is a stronger year in terms of HS talent. As far as Galindo, this incoming class has a couple of supposedly good players who can shoot the three, plus Case is coming off of his redshirt year, and hopefully Giddens can find himself in this offseason. Defensively, Galindo was a liability. He's gotta get a lot better. Good luck to him...
Posts: 6,798

04-05-2005, 06:03 AM	#4
Braincase Banned Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Pond> Me <Barn Casino cash: $11298284	If Galindo needs to go someplace else to be happy, I wish him the best of luck. In the meantime, I'm glad we have a coach who over-recruits every year, instead of every other year. __________________ BrainCase
Posts: 15,429

04-05-2005, 07:38 AM	#7
Lzen Supporter Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Jan Quadrant Vincent 16 Casino cash: $2050692	Well I feel a little better about this after reading that story. I didn't realize that Moody hadn't received a scholarship as of yet. I was under the impression that he had already received it. Aw well, this works out for the best, I suppose. Good luck, Alex. We were lucky to have you. __________________ If at first you don't succeed ...skydiving is not for you.
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04-05-2005, 07:51 AM	#10
Eleazar Beyond the Rapids Join Date: May 2003 Location: Langley, VA Casino cash: $-370000	FIU eh... a Sun Belt conf team?
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04-05-2005, 08:01 AM	#11
Saulbadguy When a nightmare becomes real Join Date: Nov 2003 Casino cash: $2386966	FIU..that'd be disasterous. __________________ http://www.goemaw.com
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