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Angel Rodriguez will not play for Miami in 2013-2014

Wildcats guard Rodriguez defended by Explorers guard Galloway tries a last-second shot that failed to tie the game in the second round of the NCAA men's basketball tournament in Kansas City

Kansas State Wildcats guard Angel Rodriguez (13) defended by La Salle Explorers guard Ramon Galloway tries a last-second shot that failed to tie the game in the second round of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament at the Sprint Center in Kansas City, Missouri, March 22, 2013. REUTERS/Dave Kaup (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BASKETBALL)

REUTERS

Angel Rodriguez has decided to redshirt the 2013-2014 season, according to a release from Miami.

Rodriguez transferred into the program from Kansas State to be closer to his family -- he went to high school in the area -- and many were waiting to hear whether or not he would be granted a waiver to play immediately at the school.

But it turns out that Rodriguez never even applied for the waiver.

According to Miami head coach Jim Larrañaga, Rodriguez spent the summer trying to get to 100% as a couple of nagging injuries kept him off the court.

“One was a wrist injury, and one was a very serious tendinitis in his knee,” Larrañaga said. “When we had him visit with our trainer Wes Brown, Wes felt that it was so severe that he took him to our team doctors. They did x-rays and MRI’s, and eventually shut him down the entire summer.”

(MORE: Four key players still waiting for a waiver from the NCAA)

Eventually, both coach and player decided against applying for the waiver, which is a smart move beyond the simple fact that it will allow Rodriguez to be healthy heading into his final two years of eligibility. Miami lost basically everyone from last season, and while Larrañaga has done a solid job on the recruiting trail, Miami is does not have the firepower to make a real run at the NCAA tournament next season even with Rodriguez.

But with Texas transfer Sheldon McClellan sitting out 2013-2014 as well, and a talented recruiting class headlined by Ja’Quan Newton set to hit campus in 2014, the Hurricanes should be quite competitive in 2014-2015.

Why waste a year of Rodriguez’s eligibility when he’s not healthy and not going to change the outcome of their season?

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