The Dagger - NCAAB

You might remember Mississippi State forward Jarvis Varnado from such films as "Mississippi State made a major leap in 2008, staring Jarvis Varnado," and "I will block that shot against the backboard and scream in your face," presented by Jarvis Varnado." The last time you saw the talented Mr. Varnado, he was leading the Mississippi State Bulldogs to the SEC tournament title and an NCAA appearance. Varnado has led the nation in blocked shots two years in a row. He's an awfully good player.

And now, he's a walk-on.

The Clarion-Ledger's Kyle Veazey has the scoop (thanks to Truth About It for the Twitter tip, by the way). When Bulldogs coach Rick Stansbury signed John Riek and the still-under-investigation Renardo Sidney, he signed his 13th and 14th players scholarship players. Unfortunately, there are only 13 scholarships available. Most coaches would probably just run a player off, but after mulling it over, Stansbury and the Varnado family came up with a mutual -- and pretty selfless -- solution. Varnado's father explains:

"We had discussed it with coach (Rick) Stansbury and he let us know that if Jarvis put his name in the draft, and he had a chance to get Renardo Sidney ... we'll take out a loan so he can come back to school," Winston Varnado, the coach at West Point High School, said.

Yes, Varnado -- basically a shoe-in for All-SEC this year -- is returning to school as a walk-on. Not only that, but he's taking out a loan for the $5,151 it costs to attend MSU as an in-state full-time undergraduate. Which very likely makes Varnado the single best walk-on player in college basketball in, what, the past 10 years? Longer?

And good for him. Varnado could have responded with petulance; he could have allowed Stansbury to shove off benchwarmer. But he didn't. He apparently cares enough about Mississippi State's chances in 2009-10 he's willing to go five grand in debt to improve them (the chances). Unheard of? Yep. Admirable? That too.

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  1. www.collegebasketball247.blogspot.com
    1. Posted by www.collegebasketball247.blogspot.com Wed Aug 19, 2009 2:43 pm EDT

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    "scream in your first!?"
    wow major typo
  2. Brian W
    2. Posted by Brian W Wed Aug 19, 2009 2:47 pm EDT

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    "Mississippi State made a major leap in the 2008, staring Jarvis Varnado"
    come on EB. not as bad as the "first" mistake but these little things really can spoil a good article.
  3. Klingsta
    3. Posted by Klingsta Wed Aug 19, 2009 6:53 pm EDT

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    I want him to start doing the Mutombo finger wag
  4. preeno
    4. Posted by preeno Wed Aug 19, 2009 7:03 pm EDT

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    sure, it's admirable for Varnado to agree to paying. but it also shows no class on the part of the Miss. St. organization and Stansbury to make their best player pay 5 grand for his junior year.
  5. FUN the MeNtaL
    5. Posted by FUN the MeNtaL Wed Aug 19, 2009 7:27 pm EDT

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    #4 they kno that if he declares next year and he plays better and goes deeper in the tourney, he could be a first rounder...and 5 grand is a used 2001 car...not alot to have to pay back
  6. cygnus vismus
    6. Posted by cygnus vismus Wed Aug 19, 2009 7:27 pm EDT

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    Really I mean why can't Miss St give him some type of financial help, maybe he doesn't want to take it.
  7. Bushwick
    7. Posted by Bushwick Wed Aug 19, 2009 7:38 pm EDT

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    Uh...what are y'all morons?
    He's a senior, not a junior. He's a guaranteed 1st round pick next year. It's great publicity.
  8. BryanH
    8. Posted by BryanH Wed Aug 19, 2009 7:49 pm EDT

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    5 grand, im 145,000 in debt to go to school. 5 grand is weak. At least he realizes going to school is worth it....
  9. XJ
    9. Posted by XJ Wed Aug 19, 2009 8:14 pm EDT

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    It's ok, Miss St had their day. Vols will win the SEC this year. GO VOLS.
  10. Jake!
    10. Posted by Jake! Wed Aug 19, 2009 8:21 pm EDT

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    you morons,the money these people get from "other sources" more than pays for that.
  11. majunia
    11. Posted by majunia Wed Aug 19, 2009 8:30 pm EDT

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    I guarantee that he has been guaranteed that someone else will foot that 5,000 bill, in the worst case scenario.
  12. Bryce
    12. Posted by Bryce Wed Aug 19, 2009 8:35 pm EDT

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    Great publicity or not, it's about time someone shows some character. I mean seriously, both professional AND college athletes these days are ridiculous. I applaud him and wish him the best of luck.
  13. JJ
    13. Posted by JJ Wed Aug 19, 2009 9:38 pm EDT

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    Way to be selfless JV. Way to look out for the betterment of your team and to take out the loan. Even though you may be a first rounder and that is like 10 seconds of court time. Still that is admirable. To do that and not make your team do something that could violate NCAA policy. I wonder could someone give you the money as a gift? Would that be against NCAA rules. A former Basketball alum or something. Maybe a college fund.
  14. "Bad" Andy
    14. Posted by "Bad" Andy Wed Aug 19, 2009 9:38 pm EDT

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    I do belive that KU got a pretty good walk on transfer from memphis this year thanks to a mbl team paying for his college. oh and he has a pretty good borther playing for the team too.
  15. Chris
    15. Posted by Chris Wed Aug 19, 2009 9:41 pm EDT

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    He's a walk on and there are weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, the financial institutions don't need to be monitored and Oboma's fixing the health care system, what a joke, do you expect people to beleive this crap?
  16. Confused Owner
    16. Posted by Confused Owner Wed Aug 19, 2009 9:42 pm EDT

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    He will get his money back exponentially. He knew what he was doing. But, like #12, it is great to see someone not only think of others but actually do something about it. Great Job Varnado!!!
  17. steve
    17. Posted by steve Wed Aug 19, 2009 9:43 pm EDT

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    Wow that is quite something, why michigan state?
  18. Eddie S
    18. Posted by Eddie S Wed Aug 19, 2009 9:44 pm EDT

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    whos the idiot the said "vols wing the SEC this year"???? Go Cats. Good for Varnardo.
  19. ericownsyou5
    19. Posted by ericownsyou5 Wed Aug 19, 2009 9:45 pm EDT

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    uhm... wouldn't the best walk-on be O.J. Mayo?
  20. Eddie S
    20. Posted by Eddie S Wed Aug 19, 2009 9:46 pm EDT

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    whos the idiot the said "vols wing the SEC this year"???? Go Cats. Good for Varnardo.
  21. Tmac
    21. Posted by Tmac Wed Aug 19, 2009 9:46 pm EDT

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    Damn i hope that kid doesn't get hurt this year
  22. robertd
    22. Posted by robertd Wed Aug 19, 2009 9:46 pm EDT

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    Very selfless, but not the first time this has been done. Matt Gilroy did something very similar this year at BU for the Hockey program. The school was convinced he was turning pro, so much so that they gave his scholarship away, only problem was tha Matt wanted to come back and play with his younger bro who was an incoming freshman. So he went on to win the Hobey Baker and the NCAA campionship....all while paying for his senior year....no instate tuition there either. Great story
  23. Tmac
    23. Posted by Tmac Wed Aug 19, 2009 9:46 pm EDT

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    Damn i hope that kid does not get hurt this year
  24. FantaSeeReign
    24. Posted by FantaSeeReign Wed Aug 19, 2009 9:47 pm EDT

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    About time something POSITIVE gets reported in the headlines!!!! Yippy!!!
  25. JonnieRebel
    25. Posted by JonnieRebel Wed Aug 19, 2009 9:47 pm EDT

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    I'm a Rebel, but it warms my heart to good like this in people from Mississippi. I wish him well. Hell, I might even root for State this year in basketball!

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