Southeast Missouri State men's basketball team loses two junior transfers

The Southeast Missouri State men's basketball team already was lacking experience at forward and now the Redhawks have taken another hit.

Junior transfer forwards Clyde Santee and Xavion Dillon's departure from the team was announced Wednesday.

The 6-foot-7, 215-pound Santee, who signed with Southeast in May, "did not meet qualifications of being a 4-2-4 transfer," according to first-year coach Rick Ray.

Santee did not participate in the team's summer workouts because he was trying to get his academic situation straightened out and graduate from Odessa College

He spent two seasons at Massachusetts before transferring to Odessa where he averaged 12.9 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game last year.

"We were looking forward to Clyde being a member of our basketball team," Ray said in a press release. "Unfortunately, Clyde was unable to complete NCAA requirements necessary for a 4-2-4 transfer."

Dillon, who signed with Southeast during the early signing period last November when Dickey Nutt was still the coach, chose to move home for personal reasons, according to the release.

"I appreciate the opportunity that Southeast Missouri State provided me," Dillon said in the press release. "I have learned so much about basketball and life from Coach Ray in my short time here. But I feel that it is in my best interest to return home and be with my family."

Dillon, 6-7, 200-pound forward, spent the past two seasons at Southwest Mississippi Community College.

He averaged 10.8 points, 7.4 rebounds and 1.3 blocks as a sophomore.

"We fully understand and support Xavion's decision to return home and wish him the best in his future endeavors," Ray said.

Southeast begins its season at Dayton on Nov. 13. The Redhawks host Missouri S&T in an exhibition on Nov. 7.