Burns to jump
ship in search
of playing time
By Scott Yamaguchi
Daily Bruin Senior Staff
The UCLA athletic department announced Saturday that Marquis
Burns, a junior guard for the men’s basketball team, plans to
transfer schools in hopes of receiving more playing time.
Burns, who suffered a back injury in the Bruins’ Dec. 22 game
against George Mason and has not played since, will seek a medical
redshirt season. If the redshirt is granted, Burns will have two
years of eligibility remaining.
"We’ve talked a lot about it, and I want to help Marquis find a
place where he can get some playing time," UCLA head coach Jim
Harrick said. "He’s a terrific, terrific young guy and a very, very
good student."
Burns returned to UCLA after his sophomore season with an
opportunity to move into the starting position vacated by Shon
Tarver’s graduation, but that spot has been earned by freshman J.R.
Henderson.
"I was projected as a contender for that spot, but so were a few
other guys," Burns said. "I just didn’t know exactly what Coach
(Harrick) was thinking with his game plan."