Monmouth yanks scholarship of former Roselle Catholic hoops standout

Stephen Edelson | Asbury Park Press

It was one thing when Monmouth guard Micah Seaborn left the program in April to join the professional ranks with a year of eligibility remaining.

But in a highly unusual move, the program has pulled the scholarship of forward Pierre Sarr, the former Roselle Catholic standout as he was poised to enter his senior year.

According to Sarr, he was informed on June 11 by Monmouth head coach King Rice that his scholarship was not being renewed. Sarr is currently appealing the move in an attempt to remain in school next year and graduate, with his case to be heard by the school within the next week or so.

It's unusual for a scholarship to be pulled that late in the year, leaving a student-athlete little time to find another school. Sarr had been dropped from the team’s roster on the school’s athletic website within the past few weeks.

With no options as a transfer at this late date, Sarr is hoping to continue his basketball career as a graduate transfer during the 2019-20 season. If Sarr wins the appeal, it is unclear if Monmouth will be able to fill the scholarship for the 2018-19 season.

"It was not my decision to leave the team," said Sarr, a 6-8 forward. "I wanted to stay with the team and try to do something wonderful.

"I don't know how much I'm allowed to say about it, but (Rice) told me I was not doing what he wanted me to do."

The Monmouth men's basketball program issued a "no comment" when asked about Sarr's status. In addition, Monmouth athletic director Dr. Marilyn McNeill was not available for comment on Monday.

"I was very surprised when it happened," Sarr said. "Now I just want to stay in school and graduate. I will not be playing basketball at Monmouth anymore."

A native of Senegal, Sarr was the second player from an NJSIAA Tournament of Champions winning team to play at Monmouth. The first was Jhamar Youngblood, who played at St. Patrick, now the Patrick School, and was the Northeast Conference Rookie of the Year in 2007. Like Sarr, Youngblood did not finish his career with the Hawks, playing his final two seasons at Rider.

As the 2017-18 season was coming to an end, Sarr’s playing time diminished. He did not play in the final four games, and did not play in eight games during the season, averaging 9.7 minutes-per-game for the season. He averaged 3.1 points-per-game and 2.8 rebounds last season.

The departure of Sarr and Seaborn leaves center Diago Quinn as the only senior on the Monmouth roster.

Stephen Edelson: sedelson@gannettnj.com; @SteveEdelsonAPP

