22 Jan 2013
Sports Editor
Ryne Gannoe / Senior Staff Writer
Former Mean Green women’s basketball forward Jasmine Godbolt has verbally committed to play for North Carlolina Central University after being dismissed from the team in December.
Godbolt, who was recovering from a knee injury, was expected to return to play last month before she was dismissed from the team for violating a team and athletic department rule. Godbolt declined to comment on the nature of the violation but said it was a reoccurring infraction.
“I regret it,” Godbolt said. “Of course, we all make bad decisions. I’m at the point in my life where I feel like I shouldn’t be making the ones that I do make. It’s just something to learn from.”
Godbolt said she is grateful for all the opportunities UNT has given her.
“I enjoyed being on the team the time that I was on,” she said. “To coach [Mike] Peterson, I feel like I let him down and I apologize for that. To the team, I wish them luck on the season. They are doing very well in conference and I’m proud of them. I can honestly say I am going to be a fan for them.”
Godbolt consistently contributed during her three years in the program. She was the 2010 Sun Belt freshman of the year and is UNT’s No. 9 all-time scorer. Last year she led the team with an average of 12.3 points per game and was the second most prolific rebounder with 7.3 rebounds per game.
Godbolt’s absence may have made a difference in a number of close losses the Mean Green has suffered this season. Seven of UNT’s 11 losses were decided by fewer than five points.
Senior forward Sara Stanley and freshman forward Alexis Hyder have filled Godbolt’s role at forward. Hyder leads the team with 12.9 points per game and 7.9 rebounds per game. Stanley is having a career-best season with 9.4 points per game and 6.3 rebounds per game.
Petersen said he wishes she could have been a part of the program.
“She broke a very clear team rule,” Petersen said. “The group that we have is in first place in the division and has continued to get better. It’s nothing we ever really worried about. My only disappointment is I’m disappointed for Jasmine because she’s not able to experience all the good stuff that’s going right now and I’m sincere about that.”
UNT would not allow Godbolt’s former teammates to comment on her dismissal.
NCCU offered Godbolt a scholarship to work towards her master’s degree after she graduates from UNT with a bachelor’s in sociology. She has one remaining season of eligibility.
