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TagsBY MIKE VORKUNOV
NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM
Coming off a 34-point thrashing at West Virginia, Rutgers has sustained a loss larger than any one single game can incur. The Scarlet Knights announced that sophomore center Gregory Echenique has decided to leave the program and was granted a conditional release by the University. The conditions of the release have not yet been revealed.
Echenique was averaging 12.6 points per game and 7.7 rebounds per game in seven games this season before being ruled out for the year due to an eye injury.
The native of Venezuela was the 50th ranked recruit in the class of 2008 according to Rivals and was a big coup for coach Fred Hill. He seemed to be the beginning of a pipeline to one of the most influential high schools in New Jersey, St. Benedict's Prep in Newark.
"Gregory has been a valuable member of our program," said Hill in a statement. "We are appreciative of his contributions at Rutgers and wish him the best in his future endeavors."The reasons for Echenique's departure are still unclear but his decision to leave has left a huge impact on the program.
Echenique, along with sophomore Mike Rosario, was a cornerstone of the team. This is a huge blow for Hill, who has said he hoped to be contending for an NCAA Tournament birth next season.
