Former Indiana forward Jeremy Hollowell’s decision to transfer to Georgia State came down to three things: family, his history with Ron and R.J. Hunter and the Panthers’ future.
Hollowell, 6-foot-8 forward, announced Tuesday that he will transfer to coach Ron Hunter’s program, which won the Sun Belt’s regular-season title last season. Hollowell plans to enroll in summer school and will sit out the 2014-15 season, per NCAA rules. He will have two seasons of eligibility remaining.
“To have the opportunity to play for him (Ron) and R.J. will be a good fit for me,” he said. “I feel like I’m at home.”
Along with former Louisville guard Kevin Ware, Hollowell is the second high-profile transfer who has elected to join Ron Hunter’s program this year. Hollowell considered Iowa State and Houston before making his decision.
Hunter can’t comment until Hollowell applies for admission.
His move will bring him closer to family. He said an aunt just moved near downtown and his father lives near Charleston, S.C.
It also will bring him closer to friends. Hollowell has known R.J. Hunter, the Sun Belt’s player of the year last season, since they were 8 years old and played for the same AAU basketball team in Indianapolis.
“R.J. really sold it for me,” he said. “Seeing what they’ve done in the conference. With people returning and Kevin coming, I feel they will do the same next year. Next year, plan on winning and then with me the next year making the tournament in a couple of back-to-back years. Really do something special.”
Hollowell averaged 4.2 points and 2.7 rebounds in 13.8 minutes per game in two seasons for the Hoosiers. He was a four-star recruit in the Class of 2012, but couldn’t lock down a consistent spot in coach Tom Crean’s rotation. Still, Hollowell said he has nothing bad to say about Indiana.
“It just didn’t happen,” he said. “I’m just looking forward to a new opportunity.”
Hollowell said he will take advantage of the season that he must sit out to work on his strength and speed. A versatile player with range to make 3-pointers, Hollowell said it doesn’t matter to him which position he plays.
“I have a lot to prove,” he said. “I didn’t like how my first two years of college went. It’s made me hungry.”
Ware and Hollowell are two of several transfers that Hunter has recruited to Georgia State. Ryan Harrow (Kentucky), Curtis Washington (USC) and Manny Atkins (Virginia Tech) are others.
Harrow and Atkins, who used up his eligibility, helped Georgia State go 17-1 in the Sun Belt last season. The Panthers were beaten by Louisiana-Lafayette in the tournament championship game.
“We have a lot of guys who are going to be hungry,” Hollowell said. “We will have a lot of nice pieces to work with.”
