Long Beach Releases Cotton From His Letter of Intent

Schea Cotton, the most heralded recruit in Long Beach State men’s basketball history, did as expected Tuesday, requesting and receiving a release from his 49er letter of intent.

In a meeting on campus Tuesday, Cotton’s parents, James and Gaynell, informed 49er athletic officials that Schea no longer wanted to attend Long Beach because his older brother, James, has announced he is leaving the school. Long Beach Athletic Director Bill Shumard granted Cotton, a senior forward at Bellflower St. John Bosco High, an unconditional release.

“We’re very pleased with Long Beach’s decision to release Schea,” Gaynell said. “Although Schea won’t be at Long Beach, we will always continue to support the school. We will always be 49ers.”

Last week, James announced he was declaring himself eligible for the NBA draft. A two-time All-Big West Conference guard, James has one season of eligibility remaining.

“We know Long Beach State would have been a great place for Schea to grow and learn,” said Shumard. “He has asked to be released and we don’t intend to hold him back from whatever he plans to do.”

Schea, a Times all-county selection who left Mater Dei High after his sophomore season, is now considering UCLA, USC and Pepperdine, Gaynell said. Under NCAA rules, coaches at those schools cannot speak with the Cottons until paperwork on Schea’s release is completed.

And despite receiving his release, Cotton might still lose a year of eligibility. Typically, a prospective student-athlete who breaks a letter of intent must sit out one year before competing at another NCAA school.

Cotton, who led the Monarchs to the 1995 Division I state title, could appeal his case to the National Letter of Intent Steering Committee. Another variable clouding Cotton’s status next season is that he has not yet received a qualifying score on his Scholastic Assessment Test.