November 18, 1999
Release: Upon Receipt

FURMAN'S SOUCHU TO MISS FIRST THREE GAMES

GREENVILLE -- Furman University men's basketball coach Larry Davis announced today that freshman forward Karim Souchu (SUE-shoe) will sit out the Paladins' first three regular season games due to his participation last year in a three-game French championship series not approved by the NCAA.

"In compliance with NCAA rules regarding amateur player participation against professional competition, Karim Souchu will miss our first three games but will have his eligibility reinstated prior to our first game against Ole Miss in the Bi-Lo Holiday Hoops Tournament," Davis said on Thursday. "We were aware of Karim's situation during the recruiting process, and after checking with the NCAA we felt like it was a small price to pay for us to get a person and a player of Karim's caliber."

Souchu, a 6-foot-6, 190-pound product of Paris, France, will not play in the Furman's season opener Saturday against Southeastern College. He will also miss the Paladins' Monday game against Stetson and next Wednesday's contest against Oglethorpe. Souchu will make his Paladin debut next Friday when Furman squares off against Mississippi in the first round of the SoCon Holiday Hoops Classic at the Bi-Lo Center.

Souchu scored 34 points and claimed 11 rebounds in a pair of pre-season exhibition game wins.