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Rice Transfer Arsalan Kazemi Picks Oregon

Oregon continued its recent history of scooping up transfers when ex-Rice forward Arsalan Kazemi announced Sunday he had selected the Ducks over a number of worthy teams.

By Cody Ulm
March 03, 2012; Houston, TX, USA; Rice Owls forward Arsalan Kazemi (14) drives to the basket against the Houston Cougars in the first half at Tudor Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-US PRESSWIRE
March 03, 2012; Houston, TX, USA; Rice Owls forward Arsalan Kazemi (14) drives to the basket against the Houston Cougars in the first half at Tudor Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-US PRESSWIRE

Forward Arsalan Kazemi has decided to transfer to Oregon and will begin classes at the university Monday after being granted his release from the Rice basketball team earlier this month, according to Sports Illustrated's Luke Winn.

The 6'7 senior was also considering Kentucky, Florida, Cincinnati, Ohio State and Texas before settling on the Ducks. Additionally, Sports Illustrated is reporting that Kazemi plans on petitioning the NCAA for a hardship waiver so he would be allowed to play instantly for the team instead of sitting out a year.

Oregon would have quite the lanky starting lineup if Kazemi is allowed to join E.J. Singler, Tony Woods and Waverly Austin for the 2012-2013 season.

Kazemi, the first native Iranian collegiate basketball player, is the sixth athlete to leave Rice's program this offseason along with center Omar Oraby (transferred to USC), forward David Chadwick (transferred to Valparaiso), forward Jarelle Reischel (transferred to Rhode Island), guard Dylan Ennis (transferred to Villanova) and forward Ahmad Ibrahim (joined Lebanese professional league).

Kazemi averaged 12.4 points and 10.3 rebound per game in his junior campaign for the Owls.

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