Sallie Signs to Play for U of L Basketball
June 28, 2010 | Men's Basketball
June 28, 2010
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| LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Roburt Sallie, a 6-5, 200-pound guard from Sacramento, Calif. who has played the last two years at the University of Memphis, has signed a financial aid agreement to play his final collegiate season at the University of Louisville.
A two-year letterman for the Tigers, Sallie averaged 10.5 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.9 assists during the 2009-10 season, starting 22 of 34 games in helping Memphis post a 24-10 record. His 43.8 percent career three-point accuracy is a Memphis record, connecting on 119-of-272 three point goals over two years.
"Roburt fulfills so many needs for us," said Pitino. "One thing we may lack this season is consistent scoring at the wing position. When you lose your top three scorers, there are a lot of unknowns on from where the points are going to come. Roburt intrigued us because he has great experience, is a great perimeter scorer, a terrific passer, has good size and is a good defender. We're getting someone who has won a lot of basketball games and has a strong passion for winning. We're excited to have him in our program."
Sallie still must meet specific academic qualifications to be admitted to U of L, including completing his bachelor's degree at Memphis this summer. U of L must also apply for a waiver for the transfer residency requirement for Sallie to be eligible to play for the 2010-11 season.
In his sophomore season at Memphis, Sallie came off the bench in Tigers' first round NCAA Tournament victory over Cal State Northridge to score 35 points while burying a school record 10 three-pointers in an 81-70 come-from-behind victory. It was the most points ever scored by a Memphis player in an NCAA Tournament game.
In his two seasons at Memphis, Sallie helped the Tigers to back-to-back 20-win seasons and consecutive postseason berths (1 NCAA, 1 NIT). As a sophomore in 2008-09, Sallie was a member of the Memphis squad that set the school record for consecutive wins at 27 straight. That squad posted a 33-4 overall record and a perfect 16-0 Conference USA mark. Memphis swept the Conference USA regular season and tournament titles and advanced to the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16. In 2009-10, the Tigers were 24-10 overall and advanced to the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) second round.
Sallie was named the California Junior College Player of the Year in his freshman season at City College of San Francisco, where he averaged 15.7 points while leading his team to a 29-4 record.
