STARKVILLE, Miss., Aug. 19 (UPI) -- Junior forward Lawrence Roberts of Baylor has transferred to Mississippi State.
It was the first player defection from the beleaguered school since the resignations of Athletic Director Tom Stanton and Coach Dave Bliss.
Roberts, a preseason Wooden Award candidate, averaged 15.2 points and 10.4 rebounds last season.
"This whole thing has been hard," Roberts told the Waco Tribune-Herald, "but I'm excited about going to Mississippi State because I can be the go-to guy. I'm going to miss the Big 12, but I'm going from one good conference to another."
It is unclear whether Roberts will be allowed to play at Mississippi State next season. NCAA rules state that transfers must sit out year, but Baylor has applied for a waiver for all of its players.
The paper said six players have asked for releases from Baylor, including guards John Lucas and Kenny Taylor, forwards Tommy Swanson and Harvey Thomas, Roberts, and freshman forward Tyrone Nelson, who has committed to Prairie View A&M.
It has been revealed that Bliss attempted to orchestrate a cover-up by telling players to say that slain teammate Patrick Dennehy paid for his tuition by selling drugs.
Former player Carlton Dotson has been charged with the murder of Dennehy.
