forman to skip school in U.S.

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SoCalHoops College/NBA News

LMU Recruit Turns Pro,
Won't Attend College--(June 18, 2001)

Loyola Marymount University took a hit this weekend when one of their big men recruits who was expected to help out up front next season decided not to come to the U.S. after all. Oscar Forman, a 6'-9" Sr. F from Australia, has decided to turn pro rather than attend college in the U.S., and he is also expected to play for Australia's team in the next Olympiad. John Shaffer, the SID at LMU sent us the press release last night, announcing the news that Forman had decided instead to play with the Adelaide 36ers, a pro team in the NBL (National Basketball League) in Australia. Interestingly, the 36'ers will pay for Forman's tuition to attend college in Australia. Here's the release:

LMU Recruit Decides To Sign Pro Contract
Forman Decides to Sign with Hometown Team in Australian Pro League

TRANSACTIONS: College Men’s Basketball -- Oscar Forman signs professional contract with the National Basketball League of Australia.

Los Angeles, CA (June 18, 2001) -- Loyola Marymount University men’s basketball recruit Oscar Forman has made the decision to forgo his four years with the Lions to play in Australia’s National Basketball League, signing a four-year, $250,000 contract with the Adelaide 36ers. In addition to the financial commitment, Adelaide will pay for Forman’s college education in South Australia. The 36ers are located in Forman’s hometown of Adelaide, South Australia.

“We have made the commitment to recruit top caliber athletes and sometimes you are going to lose players to the professional ranks,” said Head Coach Steve Aggers. “This was an incredible opportunity for Oscar to play professionally in his hometown and get a college education. We are disappointed to lose him, but he is a quality young man who is very capable of having a successful professional career. We wish him the best.”

Forman, a graduate of Unley High School, was one of three high school players to try out for Australia’s National Team. He spent this past year at the Australian Institute for Sports (AIS), which is equivalent to the Olympic Development Program in the United States.

Despite the loss of the 6-9 Forman, the Lions will have four new players joining the roster in 2001-02. The incoming class for the Lions is impressive and includes Charles Brown (G, 6-0, 170, Fr., Hercules, Calif.), Andy Osborn (F, 6-9, 220, Longmont, Colo.), Miroslav Neskovic (F, 6-9, 230, Jr., Casper College) and Jason Dickens (F, 6-8, 240, Jr., Davidson College).

“We are very happy with this class of four young players in our first full recruiting season,” said Aggers. “We were able to address some pressing needs by adding youth for class balance and more size on the front line. We also got a quality young point guard who has a bright future in our program.”

Neskovic, who is a native of Belgrade, Yugoslavia, is transferring to LMU from Casper Junior College in Wyoming. Another 6-9 forward, Neskovic led the Wyoming Conference with 16.9 points and 6.6 rebounds per game while shooting 52 percent from the field. He finished the season as a first team all-conference selection.

Brown and Osborn, who signed in early November, are the two incoming freshman for the Lions this season. Brown led De La Salle High School to the Northern California championship game and a 27-5 record. Osborn led Longmont High School to the Colorado quarterfinals and a record of 22-1 while ranking among the state’s top five in points, rebounds and blocks. He was voted runner-up for the State of Colorado Player of the Year.

Dickens was third on the team in scoring, averaging 10.6 points per game. He led the squad shooting 50 percent from the field (87-174) and was fourth on the squad with 4.7 rebounds per game. In playing 27 games and averaging 17.7 minutes per game as a freshman, he finished averaging 6.3 points per game and 3.1 rebounds. At Salpointe High School in Arizona, Dickens helped the team to a 24-5 record and a bid in the state championship game his senior season. He was an Arizona Republic all-state selection in averaging 25 points and 14 rebounds. In the state semifinals he scored 45 points to tie a record set by Mike Bibby, who plays in the NBA with the Vancouver Grizzlies.

“The players we have signed come from winning backgrounds and solid coaching,” said Aggers, whose 2001 recruiting class finished with an overall record of 83-37 (.690). “They are outstanding students that have outstanding academic credentials.”