Rakeem Buckles leaves Louisville, joins FIU

By: Eduardo Almaguer/ Asst. Sports Director

In a June 21 press release, Louisville announced that the 6-7 forward was transferring to FIU, joining his former assistant coach and current FIU men’s basketball coach, Richard Pitino.

Picture from tofc.weebly.com

Panthers fans eager to see the new addition hit the court in U.S Century Bank Arena, however, will have to wait until the 2013-2014 season. Buckles suffered a torn anterior curate ligament (ACL) in his left knee in the Jan. 16 game against Marquette. It’s not the first injury for Buckles, who tore the ACL in his right knee in 2011 during his sophomore season. The forward has also suffered a concussion and a broken index finger.

Buckles is originally from Miami where he shined in Monsignor Pace. An average of 22.8 points, 13.1 rebounds and 3.5 blocked shots per game as a senior earned him Class 4A Player of the Year.

Head coach of the University of Louisville, Rick Pitino, believes that Buckles will be just fine at FIU.

“Rakeem is one of my favorites during tenure  at Lousiville,” Rick Pitino said. “He’s just a fantastic young man who we wish great success at FIU. We will miss his personality and work ethic, but he is in good hands with Richard.”