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Yale’s Brandon Sherrod to join prestigious a cappella group, will miss 2014-15 season

Anothony Dallier, Siyani Chambers, Brandon Sherrod

FILE - In this March 7, 2014 file photo, Yale’s Brandon Sherrod, right, fouls Harvard’s Siyani Chambers, left, during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in New Haven, Conn. Sherrod is taking off from the team’s 2014-15 season to tour with the Whiffenpoofs, the school’s a cappella singing group. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill, File)

AP

Given the amount of talent due back for the 2014-15 season, Yale is seen by some as the biggest threat to Harvard’s current reign as the class of the Ivy League. One of those players returning was supposed to be forward Brandon Sherrod, who averaged 6.8 points and 4.3 rebounds per game in 2013-14.

But Sherrod won’t be a member of James Jones’ program next season, thanks to the opportunity to join a prestigious group that has been in existence since 1909. On Tuesday it was announced that Sherrod is one of 14 Yale students to be named a member of the “Whiffenpoofs,” an all-male a cappella group that takes its senior year off to perform all over the world.

While Sherrod did lament the fact that he won’t be able to help his teammates in their quest to win the Ivy League, he didn’t lose sight of just how much of an honor it is to embark on this new journey.

And the opportunity to do such things is something Sherrod’s head coach sees as a positive.

“That’s one of the things we talk about when we recruit kids, is what is available at Yale and the different opportunities they’re going to have,” he said. “Brandon’s going to take advantage of one of them, and I understand.”

Sherrod played an average of 21 minutes per game last season, starting 14 of Yale’s 33 contests. Losing Sherrod will hurt some, but the Bulldogs have depth in the front court with junior Justin Sears (16.9 ppg, 6.9 rpg) leading the way. And with Javier Duren (13.6, 3.9, 3.1 apg) and Armani Cotton (8.5, 5.4) back on the perimeter, Yale has the look of a team capable of challenging Harvard for Ivy League supremacy.

Sherrod will retain his final season of eligibility, as he’ll be able to rejoin the program for the 2015-16 campaign when he re-enters school.

Given the way in which revenue sports at the Division I level are discussed, a decision like Sherrod’s will befuddle some. But clearly he’s an example of an athlete who isn’t on campus solely to play basketball.

Another interesting note about Sherrod: according to the Associated Press he hopes to one day become mayor of his hometown of Bridgeport, Conn.

Follow @raphiellej