Blake Hinson Transfers from Ole Miss: 'Proud Not to Represent That Flag Anymore'

Blake Hinson, a junior basketball player at the University of Mississippi, has transferred from the program because the official Mississippi state flag features a confederate symbol. 

In an interview with Chris Boyle of the Daytona Beach News-Journal, Hinson explained his decision to transfer from Mississippi to Iowa State. 

"To make a general statement, it was time to go and leave Ole Miss," he said. "I'm proud not to represent that flag anymore and to not be associated with anything representing the Confederacy."

There has been significant conversation around the state of Mississippi's use of the Confederate symbol in its flag recently.

The SEC, Conference USA and NCAA have all announced that it won't hold championship events in Mississippi until the flag gets changed. 

Mississippi State running back Kylin Hill tweeted on Monday that he "won’t be representing this State anymore" if the symbol remains part of the flag. 

Hill's tweet was in response to Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves' statement that a "proposal floating amongst some in the legislature" to create a second state flag alongside the current one "does not meet the threshold."

Matt Zenitz of AL.com reported on June 16 that Hinson entered the transfer portal. He appeared in 60 games over two seasons with Mississippi.