DAVID NAKAGAMI
Assistant Sports Editor
A statement on the Waves athletics Web site announced men’s basketball team member, senior Kingsley Costain’s immediate dismissal from Pepperdine due to what is being called a “violation of university policy.”
“It’s unfortunate to lose a player of Kingsley’s caliber so close to the start of the season,” Head Coach Vance Walberg said in a statement. “We are going to miss him and we wish him the best.”
Walberg would not comment further to the Graphic.
“This is a personnel issue in which I cannot talk to anyone and will not,” he said.
Athletic Director John G. Watson was also contacted by a Graphic reporter, but would not discuss the player’s dismissal.
“I am not able to discuss an individual student-athlete’s situation. It is my responsibility to protect the student-athlete,” he said.
While the specifics remain undisclosed, it is no secret that his departure will have several direct repercussions for the upcoming basketball season.
Costain was a reliable ball-handler and an offensive spark. He boasted a one-to-one assist-to-turnover ratio during his career, and 11.5 points per game last year. He also totaled 146 3-pointers as a Wave at a 41 percent clip.
As any spectator of last year’s Waves can attest, the AASAA (attack-attack-skip-attack-attack) system Walberg implemented depends heavily upon speed to “attack” and precise shooting from distance when the “skip” is received.
As the team’s point guard, Costain held a leadership role in a team fielding nine underclassmen, including seven rookies.
In the statement, Walberg acknowledged the loss for his team.
“We’ve been practicing very hard and getting ready for the new season and we will have to find a way to overcome this big loss,” he said.
Costain’s teammates said they were asked not to discuss the matter.
11-01-2007
