Men’s basketball recruit Erik Copes will be released from his National Letter of Intent to play at GW, a University spokeswoman confirmed Friday evening.
The Department of Athletics is processing Copes’ paperwork, University spokeswoman Candace Smith said. She was not sure when the 6-foot-8 center asked to be released from his contract with GW, but said she was made aware of the request Friday.
With the release, Copes has the ability to contact and play for other schools.
Copes is widely regarded as the best recruit former head coach Karl Hobbs ever brought to Foggy Bottom. He averaged 7.9 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 2.9 blocks per game last season, and was rated as the sixth-best center and 49th best player in his recruiting class in the ESPNU Top 100 rankings.
Hobbs’ was terminated from GW April 25. GW announced May 5 it would bring on University of Vermont head coach Mike Lonergan.
Smith said she did not have information about Roland Houston, a seven-year veteran at the University and Copes’s uncle.