Arizona signee Emmanuel Negedu has asked Lute Olson for a release from his national letter of intent, Negedu told CBSSports.com by phone on Sunday afternoon.
"I do not picture myself at Arizona anymore," Negedu said. "I told him I want my release."
Negedu, a Top 50 national recruit from Brewster Academy, met with Olson Sunday morning and formally asked for a release so that he can re-open his recruitment and play elsewhere. Negedu cited the uncertainty at Arizona as his primary reason, noting that every Arizona assistant on staff when he signed -- Josh Pastner, Kevin O'Neill and Miles Simon -- has left the program in the past two months and that there's no guarantee Olson will even make it through this season given how he missed all of last season on a leave of absence.
That's why Olson traveled to see Negedu this weekend, to ease the hesitation.
But according to Negedu, Olson did not succeed.
"He told me 'Come visit again and see if we can change your mind and make this better,'" Negedu said. "But I do not need to visit again. I need a release. Nothing can make me change my mind from getting a release. I'm strong on my decision."
Now for the next question: Will Olson release Negedu?
Even though it is common practice in this era for schools to grant releases to signees-- Indiana, LSU, Stanford and Marquette are some marquee programs that did so this off-season -- the act almost always revolves around a head coaching-change rather than multiple changes within the staff. That's why a source close to the situation told CBSSports.com Olson isn't currently open to the idea of releasing Negedu, particularly in this year when he figures to lose Jerryd Bayless and Chase Budinger to the NBA Draft.
Basically, the situation breaks down like this: If Olson releases Negedu he could open his recruitment, and it's likely many schools -- among them Indiana and Tennessee -- would quickly get involved in an attempt to add the 6-foot-7 athlete in time for the upcoming season. But if Olson does not grant the release, Negedu would probably have to enroll at Arizona against his wishes or return to high school for a year in order to void his letter of intent.
"What can I prove by going back to high school for one more year? Nothing," Negedu said. "I've got nothing to prove. I had a great season. We won everything. I was the MVP of the league. I was the Gatorade Player of the Year. What do I have to prove in high school anymore? Nothing. I'm just ready to go to college ... but I do not picture myself at Arizona anymore. I just want my release."
