Sean Davis Seeks Transfer to CSUN : Former Player at San Jose State Faces Redshirt Year

Sean Davis, one of 10 players who walked out on former San Jose State basketball Coach Bill Berry last winter, has resurfaced at Cal State Northridge where he hopes to play if a transfer is approved.

Davis, a 1987 graduate of El Camino Real High where he was an All-City Section 4-A Division selection as a senior, would redshirt this season in accordance with National Collegiate Athletic Assn. rules.

Davis and nine teammates at San Jose walked out on Berry--who later resigned--on Jan. 18, citing mental cruelty and verbal abuse. While the group succeeded in forcing Berry’s ouster, a high price was paid: The scholarships of the boycotting players were revoked.

Northridge Coach Pete Cassidy said that he first spoke with Davis after former El Camino Real assistant Jeff Davis suggested that the two meet. Sean Davis is currently auditing classes at Northridge while awaiting the arrival of transcripts and formal approval of his enrollment, Cassidy said.

Cassidy said that he would welcome Davis with open arms.

“He fits in as small forward or an off-guard,” Cassidy said. “We haven’t seen him play since high school, but we know he’s a good athlete. I know he has the ability to take it to the hole.”

As a senior at El Camino Real, Davis (6-foot-5, 205 pounds) averaged 19.8 points and 13.6 rebounds. He also broke the school career scoring and rebounding mark. The scoring record, however, was broken last season by senior forward Brent Lofton.

“I’m really looking forward to a fresh start,” said Davis, who lives in Los Angeles. “I kind of wanted to stay home and Northridge is a good place to go and a good place to play.”

If the transfer is approved, Davis will be allowed to practice with the team but as a nonscholarship player.

Damon Greer, a 1988 Cleveland High graduate who also participated in the San Jose walkout, will play this year at The Master’s, a member of the National Assn. of Intercollegiate Athletics, which has different transfer requirements than does the NCAA.

Staff writer Mike Hiserman contributed to this story.