DUNK CITY, Fla. – FGCU men's basketball rising sophomore Darnell Rogers has elected to transfer to another institution.
 
"I want to thank Darnell for his time with our program," said head coach Michael Fly. "He has conducted himself in a positive manner in the classroom, in the community and on the court. But after meeting with Darnell and keeping his best interests in mind, this decision was made in order for him to get more playing time elsewhere. We wish him all the best in his future endeavors."
 
Rogers (Baltimore, Md./Shiloh HS/Believe Prep/Indian Land HS) played in 20 games as a freshman with a talented and experienced backcourt in front of him. He averaged 6.4 minutes per game and just under a point per contest, including a career-best 11 in one outing.
 
"I'd like to thank FGCU as whole: my teammates, the coaches and the fans for all the support they've given me throughout the year," stated Rogers. "But after talking it over with my family, I've decided it was best for me to continue my collegiate career elsewhere, and that's what is most important to me at this time."
 
Despite the departure of Rogers, FGCU has a trio of talented incoming guards – two freshmen in Caleb Catto (Cape Coral, Fla./Southwest Florida Christian Academy) and Zach Scott (Fort Lauderdale, Fla./Westminster Academy), and a junior college transfer in Quentin Jackson (Raleigh, N.C./Tallahassee CC/Charlotte/Cape Fear Christian Academy). Additionally, the Eagles will welcome redshirt junior Haanif Cheatham, a 6-5 guard from Fort Lauderdale who has already scored more than 700 points in just over two years at Marquette, and was a member of the Big East All-Freshman Team.
 
FGCU completed another 20-win season in 2017-18 as the Eagles went 23-12 overall, claiming a second-straight outright ASUN Regular Season Championship courtesy of a 12-2 league mark. The Green and Blue advanced to the NIT, continuing a stretch of six-straight 20-win campaigns and postseason appearances: 2013 NCAA, 2014 NIT, 2015 CIT, 2016 NCAA, 2017 NCAA, 2018 NIT.
 
FGCU is one of only four schools in the nation along with Duke, Louisville and Saint Mary's to have both its men's and women's basketball teams win at least 20 games in six-straight seasons.
 
SOCIAL CENTRAL
For up-to-the-minute information and behind-the-scenes access to the men's basketball program, follow @FGCU_MBB on Twitter and Instagram, Like us on Facebook at /FGCUMBB and watch us on Snapchat at FGCU_MBB.
 
COACH FLY
Michael Fly was introduced as the 4th FGCU men's basketball head coach on April 5, 2018. He had spent the previous seven years as an assistant coach on the Eagles' staff. In that time, he helped FGCU to a 155-86 record (.643 winning percentage), including six ASUN Tournament Final appearances, three NCAA Tournament victories, three ASUN Tournament titles and three ASUN Regular Season Championships, two berths in the NIT, a CIT appearance and a run to the Sweet Sixteen. He has coached a dozen all-conference selections while with the Green and Blue, including two ASUN Player of the Year honors in Sherwood Brown and Brandon Goodwin, and two ASUN Defensive Player of the Year selections in Bernard Thompson and Demetris Morant. Of the top-10 players in career points at FGCU, Fly has helped develop eight of them, including all-time leading scorer Thompson (1,835). Additionally, the Kentucky alumnus has coached both the ASUN all-time assists leader Brett Comer (845; 24th in NCAA history) and FGCU all-time leading rebounder Chase Fieler (714).
 
SUPPORT THE CAUSE
FGCU Athletics sponsors events throughout the year to benefit the FGCU Campus Food Pantry (www.fgcu.edu/foodpantry) and the Harry Chapin Food Bank (www.harrychapinfoodbank.org), FGCU Athletics' charities of choice. For more information, including how to make a contribution, please visit www.fgcu.edu/foodpantry and utilize the hashtag #FeedFGCU to help raise awareness.