Embattled big man Aaric Murray picks Texas Southern

Scott Gleeson | USA TODAY Sports

Former West Virginia big man Aaric Murray will join the Texas Southern University basketball program, his third school, Tigers coach Mike Davis revealed to USA TODAY Sports Thursday.

Murray, who graduated last spring and is immediately eligible for the Tigers in 2013-14, was dismissed from the West Virginia team in July. He was arrested in December 2011 and charged with marijuana possession while sitting out as a transfer from La Salle and he was also suspended in 2012 by WVU coach Bob Huggins for a disciplinary violation.

"Aaric Murray will be a big addition to our team and he will give us a chance to compete at the highest level of the SWAC," said Davis, the former Indiana coach who took over a Texas Southern team hit hard by the NCAA for lying about imposing sanctions among other violations. The Tigers went 16-2 in conference play but were barred from the postseason.

Murray, in a statement to USA TODAY Sports, said, "First, I want to thank my mom, family and team for all of their support.

"I am very fortunate to be afforded the opportunity to be mentored by Coach John Lucas, while I attend Texas Southern University. Although, this is not the road I expected to take, this journey will undoubtedly support my goals long term.

"I also feel that being mentored by Coach Lucas and Coach Mike Davis will support my mission to be the best Aaric Murray I can be.

"Publicly, there are tons of expectations of what I should be. This however is the best opportunity I have in efforts of reaching my full potential. In addition anything that can be done in college basketball can be done at Texas Southern."

Murray averaged 8.8 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.5 blocks for a West Virginia team that struggled through a 13-19 campaign in 2012-13. The 6-11 shot-blocking forward sat out 2011-12 after transferring La Salle, where he averaged 15.2 points and 7.7 rebounds as a sophomore.

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Scott Gleeson, a national college basketball writer/producer for USA TODAY Sports, is on Twitter @ScottMGleeson.