Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern Announces Roster Changes For 2005-06
7/18/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
July 18, 2005
EVANSTON, Ill. - Northwestern University men's basketball coach Bill Carmody made announcements regarding two players for the upcoming 2005-06 season.
Michael Jenkins (Pasadena, Calif./St. Francis) was offered and has accepted a scholarship for the upcoming season. Jenkins had played three previous seasons in the program as a walk-on (2001-02, 2003-04, 2004-05).
Jenkins played just 30 games totaling 58 minutes during his first two years with the program, but he became one of the Wildcats' feel-good stories last season when he played in 24 games (including 14 starts) and averaged 4.5 points and 2.4 rebounds per game while finishing among the Big Ten leaders in steals per game. Jenkins also provided arguably the highlight of Northwestern's 2004-05 season, hitting a three-pointer at the buzzer in overtime to give the Wildcats a 75-74 win against No. 23 Iowa.
"Mike indicated last season that he was interested in coming back for his final year," said Carmody. "He was a pleasant surprise and turned into one of our most dependable players last season, and I expect him to be a significant contributor this season. I have to do what is best for this program, and right now what is best is that I give him a scholarship."
Ivan Tolic (Split, Croatia/Vladimir Nazor), meanwhile, will no longer participate with the team as a player for medical reasons.
Tolic--who will be a senior this fall and is on schedule to graduate next June--has been plagued by knee problems throughout his collegiate career. During his three years in the program, he played in just 23 games, including two this past season, and made 13 starts (all during the 2003-04 season).
"Ivan has had several knee operations since he arrived at Northwestern, and has tried everything to rehab, but his knees never came around," said Carmody. "I do not think he ever practiced a full week in a row during his three years on the team. He is disappointed and so are we, because we thought he would be a good player for us but he never got a chance to show it. We hope he stays involved with the team in some capacity."
