NCAA: Harrick Loses Troubled Point Guard

By Chris Robbins
Sports Central Columnist

Recently, the University of Georgia denied Kenny Brunner's application to the college. Brunner has been plagued by off-court problems since the start of the 1998 season at Georgetown. This is only the beginning of UGA's 2000 basketball problems.
After finding out about Brunner, Jim Harrick was in a state of shock. Harrick was granted permission last week to recruit the point-guard who averaged 11.2 points and 7.3 assists as a freshman at the University of Georgetown before transferring to Fresno State. Harrick, who had hoped to begin his rise to the top this season, is now in need of a point guard to compliment D.A. Layne, who averaged team-high (and second in the SEC) 18.3 points last season. Brunner, who had just moved to Athens a few weeks ago, took the news hard.

After transferring to Fresno State, Brunner's career took an uncontrollable fall downward. He was arrested on charges of assaulting a former student with a samurai sword and robbing him of cash and his camera. He was then suspended infinitely by coach Tarkanian. Then later that year, Los Angeles City College coach Mike Miller said Brunner took $1,500 after pointing a gun at him and pulling the trigger in a gym. Fortunately, the gun misfired. He spent four months in the Los Angles jail and the charges were dropped on because the coach couldn't identify Brunner as assailant. After his Fresno State incidents, his career took a turn for the better as he helped lead the College of Southern Idaho to a runner-up finish in the National Junior College Athletic Association tournament.

That is not all coach Harrick has to be angry about. Also last week another signee, John Toombs, was declared ineligible because of underage drinking and disorderly conduct. Toombs, a 6'10", 250-pound center, was going to help the team down low because the team has been weak in the post. Harrick admits that Toombs' chances of ever getting eligible at Georgia now appear to be small.

Even though Brunner will not be wearing a 'Dawgs uniform this fall there is still hope that he may be accepted for the spring semester. Harrick said that he hasn't closed the door yet on Brunner and that there is still a chance that he might be able to come in the spring.

The main reason for denying the controversial recruit was not his off-court problems but because the admissions office has yet to receive Brunner's transcripts. The University's president Michael Adams said, "I do not want to make a decision on an applicant without the benefit of a complete academic record and transcript. Also, I do not want to decide on something as important as a student's future on what may or may not have been reported to the media."

Even though UGA's dreams for becoming a basketball powerhouse have dimmed, Harrick still believes they will have a good season. Coming off of one of Georgia's worst basketball seasons last year, coach Harrick has a lot to make up for. This next season for the dawgs is very important. I'll be watching every exciting game to see how things plan out.