Report: Ernie Kent claims tampering with Valentine Izundu's transfer

Two weeks ago, Washington State announced that redshirt junior Valentine Izundu was granted his release from the basketball program. He would seek to move else where as a graduate transfer and play next season.

That's what we knew then.

Last night Jacob Thorpe of the Spokesman Review published an article detailing numerous new facts about the group of transfers, including Izundu and Que Johnson. Most notably: Valentine Izundu appears to be headed for San Diego State University, and Ernie Kent is trying to block the transfer.

According to Thorpe's article, Johnson and Izundu took a trip to San Diego over spring break. The teammates attended the Aztec's NIT game and claim that had no contact with anyone from SDSU. "I didn't talk to any coaches or anything, I just went to the beach there and had a good time," Izundu told The Spokesman-Review.

But Kent believes the school tampered with the transfer process before the end of the season. Kent and WSU did provide a short statement to Thorpe about the situation, saying "We are going through transfer proceedings as mandated by the NCAA, as requested by the student-athlete."

Kent and Izundu are scheduled to present their cases to a committee of faculty tomorrow afternoon.

Thorpe's article also outlines plenty more information, including Johnson and Izundu's reasons for transferring. He notes all restrictions on Johnson's transfer -- which initially included at least 23 schools -- have since been lifted. Make sure to give it a read here.

This situation only serves as a prime example of how complex NCAA transfer rules are. The NCAA has a very long lists of rules for transfers, and a completely different set of rules for graduate transfers. And in many cases, conferences and schools can have their own rules about when to let another school contact their players. Fans, players, coaches and athletic departments can all benefit from streamlined rules... But figuring out what those are is another battle all together...

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