The Iowa State men’s basketball team will feature an entirely different look in the backcourt next season, as it was announced that three guards would not return to the team.

Junior Rodney Hampton was dismissed from the team by coach Larry Eustachy.

“I have dismissed Rodney Hampton from our basketball team for violating team rules,” Eustachy said.

On March 12, Hampton was arrested for disorderly conduct in Ames. Hampton is the third player on the squad to be arrested this season.

Michael Nurse was cited for public urination before the season got under way, while Travis Spivey was charged with simple assault and public intoxication for an incident occurring at Hardees in December.

Hampton played in all 30 of the Cyclones’ games, starting 23 of them at the off-guard position.

He averaged 5.1 points per game, and knocked down 33 three-pointers on the year.

Lamar Gregg and Paris Corner announced that they would be transferring schools.

“I met with Paris and Lamar to discuss their anticipated roles in our program next season,” Eustachy said. “We were planning on their return for the 1999-2000 season. But they have both decided to pursue basketball opportunities at another school of their choice.”

Gregg, a junior-college transfer who averaged 11.7 minutes per game, played only sparingly down the stretch of the season.

Gregg scored only 39 points the entire year in 280 minutes logged on the floor.

Corner, meanwhile, also had his struggles this season.

The sophomore from Beaumont, Texas, was suspended from the team for academic purposes midway through the season.

When he returned from the suspension, Corner showed promise. He averaged 4.6 points in the conference season and played well down the stretch.

The Cyclones will see an infusion of new talent in the backcourt for next season.

Travis Spivey, who started 30 games for Georgia Tech in the 97-98 season, will be a major contributor for the club, challenging Nurse for the starting spot.

Kantrell Horton transferred to Iowa State this semester, and was eligible to play.

Eustachy, however, decided that Horton would best serve the club to come away with two full years of eligibility.

Another player coming in who should make an immediate impact is Jamaal Tinsley. A junior-college point guard, Tinsley led the Mt. San Jacinto Eagles to a two-year record of 62-13.

That two-year run included two Foothill South Conference Championships, back-to-back Great Eight state tournament appearances and the championship game this season.

Tinsley averaged 21.5 points per game this season, with a high of 46 points. He also averaged 9.6 assists and 4.2 steals per game.

A fourth addition to the backcourt will be freshman Brandon Hawkins. He comes from highly touted St. Thomas More prep school in Oakdale, Conn.

Hawkins averaged 18 points, eight assists, six rebounds and five steals.

The changes mean that Nurse will be the only returning player in the backcourt.