Nebraska men's basketball team will enter the season with only nine scholarship players in uniform, four under the NCAA limit.
Sophomore Shuan Stegall has left the team, Coach Barry Collier said Tuesday, and NU plans to redshirt newcomers Marcus Perry and Jim Ledsome.
The decision to redshirt Perry ranks as the most significant surprise. The 6-foot-2 junior guard from Anniston, Ala., averaged 25.4 points per game at Southern Union (Ala.) State last season, the seventh-highest figure among Division I juco players.
"I think he can be an excellent player after taking this year to build his body, pick up valuable experience against the returning players and continue to improve," Collier said in a statement.
Ledsome is a 6-9 forward from Severna Park, Md.
Stegall, who sat on the bench in street clothes for the Huskers' 89-48 exhibition win over Monterrey Tech, will transfer at the end of the fall semester, Collier said. The 6-foot-6 forward from Stone Mountain, Ga., scored a total of 10 points in 10 games last year as a true freshman.
Freshman guard Paul Velander, a walk on from Blacksburg, Va., will also redshirt this year.
NU expects to sign four recruits to letters of intent today as the fall signing period opens. The Huskers have received oral commitments from 6-7 forward Will Harris and 6-2 guard Jamel White of New York City, plus 6-8 forward Chris Balham of Overland Park, Kan., and 6-6 forward Kyle Marks of Riviera Beach, Fla.
Stegall's departure and the addition of four recruits would leave NU with two open scholarships to fill before the 2005-06 season.
The Huskers host Division II University of Nebraska at Kearney Saturday in a 2:05 p.m. exhibition game. The regular season opens Nov. 23 at the Devaney Center against Arkansas-Pine Bluff.
