Wilbekin officially requests release
Gainesville (Fla.) Rock School point guard Mitchell Wilbekin signed with Tulsa last fall, but with Tulsa's recent coaching change, he has now officially requested his release.
"After talking everything over with my family and head coach, I've officially requested my release from Tulsa to reopen recruitment and make sure I make the right decision," he told InsideTulsaSports.com via text message just before noon on Wednesday.
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The 6-foot-1, 165-pound guard was initially thinking of requesting his release on Friday after news broke that Danny Manning was leaving Tulsa to take the head coaching job at Wake Forest. However, after a telephone conversation with Tulsa athletic director Derrick Gragg, Wilbekin said on Monday evening that he would hold off on that decision.
"I've talked to the athletic director and some of the staff," Wilbekin told InsideTulsaSports.com on Monday evening. "It was nice to talk to (Gragg). It went well. He was saying how much they want me to stay and how they'll bring in a good coach and that Tulsa basketball is moving in a positive direction.
"I'm going to wait to see who the new coach is and what he's like. I'm in no rush."
Two days later, that has all changed.
Wilbekin says he is still going to consider Tulsa as an option, but there is already interest from other schools.
"Virginia and Cincinnati have contacted my coach since I announced my request," he explained.
Wilbekin took his official visit to Tulsa back on September 6 and then committed to the Golden Hurricane on September 16 before signing his National Letter of Intent in November. He previously had offers from Florida State, Texas, South Florida and UCF.
Wilbekin averaged approximately 15 points and 3 assists last season.
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