As we all know by now, Sylven Landesberg was suspended from the team for the remainder of the career for failure to meet academic obligations -- most sources confirm it was a failure to attend his art class. Landesberg has not made any public statements since the suspension, but much of the Virginia fan base and media suspect that this is because he is planning on going pro next year. Our sources seem to be confirming as such.
Last week, Whitey Reid over at the Daily Progress asked Jerome Meyinsse what his gut feeling was on Landesberg's future. His response:
"I do [have a gut feeling]," said a smiling Meyinsse. "I'm not going to talk about it…it will come out when it's time — his decision. I just wish him the best."
StreakingtheLawn recently spoke to inside sources close to the situation, who said that Landesberg will be leaving the Virginia at the end of the year to play abroad in Israel. (Ed.: Read the note at the bottom, as Tristan Spurlock has denied this.)
Obviously, there has not yet been any public release on this, and we can continue to hope that Landesberg stays with Virginia for at least another year to continue developing his own skills. Landesberg currently averages 17.3 points per game, 4.9 rebounds per game. He is shooting 44.3%.
Stay or go, anyone who has watched Virginia play this past week without him can't help but be encouraged with what next year has in store for the Cavaliers, who just lost in the quarterfinals to top-seeded Duke, 46-57 in a game that was tied at 27 at the half. Virginia is the only team this season to have held Duke to under 60 points. And they did so without Landesberg or tri-captain Calvin Baker.
I am looking forward to building upon the foundation that Tony Bennett has laid this year.
Update 3:32 p.m. The Daily Progress reports that two of his teammates have confirmed that Landesberg will not be returning to UVa next year.
Update 4:12 p.m. This was taken from Twitter:
@Tristan24uva RT @TheUVAFool: Breaking News: Sylven Landesberg Heading to Israel (StreakingtheLawn.com) http://bit.ly/9G5h1B (very false)
Update 3/13 3:21 p.m. Landesberg denied this claim last night at approximately 7:55 p.m. on facebook: "lmaoo, israel? news to me".