Stephen Lumpkins has been cleared by the Patriot League to return to the American University basketball team, said associate AD of communications Nancy Yasharoff.
After an unsuccessful stint in minor league baseball, Lumpkins registered for classes earlier this month at AU, with hopes of rejoining to the team. On Wednesday the league cleared the 6-foot-8 forward to return for his senior season.
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He left the school in the spring of 2011 after he was drafted in the 13th round by the Kansas City Royals.
In 37 innings in the Arizona League (rookie), Lumpkins gave up 54 hits and 33 walks with an ERA of 8.27. Lumpkins was a left-handed pitcher in high school who drew interest in pre-draft camps in 2010 and 2011, throwing 88 m.p.h. last year. He was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2010, but opted to return to AU. Teams were intrigued by his blend of arm strength and height.
Lumpkins was a second-team all-Patriot League choice in 2011, leading the conference in field goal shooting (59.3 percent) and placing second in rebounds (8.2 pg) and ninth in scoring (13.5 ppg).
Lumpkins will not be on scholarship. The NCAA doesn’t allow athletes who have signed professional contracts to receive financial aid, but they can return to the playing field if their pro experience was in a different sport.
Lumpkins will boost the prospects of a team that missed his inside presence last year, but still contended for the Patriot League title, going 20-12. Lumpkins will team inside with 6-10 junior Tony Wroblicky, who emerged late last year.
