C.J. Giles, who was dismissed on Nov. 7 from the Kansas University men’s basketball program just days after his reinstatement from a prior suspension, will resume his basketball career under coach Jay John at Oregon State, the school announced today.
Giles, a 6-foot-11 forward from Seattle, began classes today in Corvallis, Ore., on the first day of the school’s winter quarter. He is not yet on scholarship and at the moment is considered a walk-on. Giles will begin practicing with the Beavers immediately and can take part in all other team-related activities, but will not be eligible to play for OSU until after Dec. 8, 2007.
He will have just under two full seasons of eligibility with the Beavers.
“We recruited C.J. when he was in high school, so we feel like we know him very well,” John said. “He understands that he has been given a second chance and I am confident he will make the most of it. He wouldn’t be here if I didn’t believe that he will become a model student-athlete and solid citizen for us. C.J. has made some mistakes in the past, but we researched this extensively and gave it a lot of thought. We have a very disciplined program, our players graduate and we have a good history with transfers. Although he will be held to a very high standard, C.J. has the opportunity to thrive here.”
Added Giles: “The main thing I want to do here at Oregon State is graduate, and the second thing I want to do is help change the program and get it winning like the old days. When I visited OSU, from the players to coaches to the students, it felt like home. They greeted me with open arms. I’m very thankful for this opportunity. I was young and immature at Kansas. Now I’m here and I’m going to grow up. People grow from their mistakes. I have learned to look at the big picture and I’m going to do all the little things to succeed. The things that got me into trouble in Lawrence, I’ve learned from that and I know what I need to change.”
Giles, who averaged 6.2 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.5 blocked shots per game as a sophomore, was officially dismissed from the KU program following an incident with a former girlfriend in his Jayhawk Towers apartment on Nov. 6. He was cited by campus police for battering the 20-year-old female KU student, and at the time it added to Giles’ off-court slate, which also included a pending court date for failure to pay child support.
For more on this story, read tomorrow’s Journal-World
