Marcus Jordan: Is his Return to Central Florida Unlikely?

On Tuesday morning, the NCAA handed down a one-year postseason ban for the Central Florida men’s basketball program, prohibiting the Knights from competing in both the Big Dance and Conference USA Tournament.

The school is set to transition to the Big East, effective for the 2013-14 season, but the status of their top two returning scorers appears to be in jeopardy.

Senior forward Keith Clanton will have a decision of his own to make following the NCAA’s ruling, as the 6-foot-9 Orlando-native could be eligible immediately due to the school’s penalties, should be opt to pursue a transfer. Clanton averaged 14.5 points per game last season.

As for the Knight’s second leading scorer, Marcus Jordan, the son of NBA legend Michael Jordan, a return to UCF is already being labeled as “unlikely.”

Jordan, who was arrested earlier this month due to a disturbance at a downtown hotel in Omaha, averaged 13.7 points per game in 2011-12.

Following the NCAA’s decision to ban the Knights from the 2013 postseason, CBS Sports’ Jeff Goodman tweeted that, despite the ruling, Jordan was more than likely not returning to the program.

Jordan’s numbers dipped in 2011-12, following a sophomore season in which he averaged a career-high 15.2 points per game.

Although there is no decision at this time, the speculation into Jordan and Clanton’s return remains in the balance due to Tuesday’s decision by the NCAA.

Central Florida was banned from the postseason due to their involvement with both Ken Caldwell and Brandon Bender, each of whom tried to help attract recruits to the school. UCF’s football program was also placed on a one-year bowl ban.

 

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