Interesting take.

I read you original post in this thread and the very first thing I thought was "hip hop.."  I barely know this kid at all, but the thought of a possible scenario like this playing out crossed my mind a dozen times the last year.  And again, I barely know this kid...  I based that thought off of seeing occasional twitter and facebook updates on my screen the past two years...

There is absolutely no doubt he has a passion for it...  I won't critic him for that.  Just hope he pondered the pros and cons to giving up on hoops...  Absolutely no doubt Coleman would've made big money playing basketball in Europe if he had stuck it out here.  I thought he had potential for more then that even...  Oh well.  Good luck to Stevie Fresh.

As others have said, Asown appears to be back according to Twitter...

Edit:

And FWIW, a kid leaving behind a D-1 hoops scholly to pursue a Rap career HAS to get picked up by some major media outlets...  I understand what some of you are saying about the facilities here for producing, but I bet we have only just begun to see the Stevie Fresh saga unfold...  That kind of attention is good for Stevie Fresh's career..

Maybe I'm wrong, this just seems like a pretty interesting reason..

Let's not forget that Coleman was suspended twice last year, once at the beginning of the season for violation of team rules (unsure of the specific offense) and then again in Feb. when he was suspended indefintely after getting busted with his roomate, Jay Kinney, for marijuana possession. As much as I hate to see Coleman go (and Kinney too) if it was going to happen I'm glad it happened now, and not mid season. 

To paraphrase E Michigan's football coach- I want a bunch of basketball players on my team, not a bunch of guys who play basketball. If his priorites were weed and music then so be it, I won't hate the playa, but if you're not in it to win then I'm glad you're gone. Sayles may not be able to play at Coleman's level, but I'm no less excited to have him back on the team.

Coleman's absence also means more PT for Rico and Nick, and from what I've read about both of them I can't wait to see them play. 

To Cooper and Freeman, if you're reading this- THANK YOU for not punching anyone in the face, or getting busted for driving around getting high, or for bailing because you've had to put up with some knuckle heads. We've lost 3 guards in the past 6 months and I'm glad your names weren't on that list. Can't wait to see you guys in the Sweet 16 in March.



http://thepost.baker.ohiou.edu/main.asp?SectionID=1&subsectionID=1&articleID=30545

Wow, the continuity factor in this program is getting pretty rough.

I don't buy the "hip-hop vs. basketball" argument.  Plenty of guys do both - Mo Ager's blog is filled with his pursuit of making music while he plays in Europe.  Time is an issue as a student-athlete, I guess, but that argument is pretty weak.  Sounds like a scapegoat to me.

Regardless, I'd sure like to see more Ohio Bobcat basketball players hanging around to play their eligibility and maintaining it instead of transferring, getting kicked off the team, indefinitely suspended, pursuing hip-hop careers, or breaking bouncer's noses.  Geez. 

Actually despite not playing for him, Coleman was O'Shea's last recruit if memory serves me correct.  So he technically was not recruited by Groce, despite being the only collegiate coach he had.

Thanks GMan, that's what I thought!

While we are all stunned by the decision Coleman has made, this happens every quarter (or semester) for thousands of students all across America. We hear about these guys because they play a popular D-1 sport. Some of these kids figure it out and go back to school, some don't. But the truth is, we can all blast Coleman on his bad decision and poke fun of him for giving up something promising for something (we all view) as not so promising. I, for one, am happy to have Sayles back, even though I backed Groce as the time. I feel Sayles had earned his spot before, and if he is back, there is a reason he is back. He earned it over the last 4 seasons. That said, if music is what Coleman has chosen to do career wise, then why put off practicing, recording and perfecting his talent...lord knows he needs ALOT of practice if he is going to succeed in the music business...and yes, I do believe he has made a horrible decision, but it was his to make!

Sounds like no one is surprised that this happened.  I wanted to believe that Steve was going to come back and do big things, but obviously he thinks his career is better suited for the music industry and not getting an education for free (and getting to play DI basketball at the same time).

IMO, this is a huge mistake but I am not surprised one bit that he did not finish his eligibility.  From the time he was a HS senior, it sounded like trouble (and poor decision making) surrounded this kid.  I want to believe that every recruit feels blessed to have so much talent in sport that colleges and universities are willing to give them free educations to come and play...but I have learned that this is not the case.

A big credit to guys like Tommy, KVK, DJ and many others who have just done exactly what they originally came to Athens to do.  I can only hope our coaching staff can avoid the rif-raf in the future and continue to progress this program.

Troop has got to feel a little safer about going around the team now right?(one half joke one half serious)

 

One other basketball player applauds as another forgoes the sport to follow a dream in the music industry.

I'm kinda with The Optimist here wondering if a media outlet will pick this story up and run with it. It's kind of an interesting way to go out, and you know the American public would eat that up.

And dont get caught up in us not being an elite program or us not being in the national spotlight, people know how good Steven was just by watching his freshman season. I've talked to a couple of them, and they are not associated to Ohio University in any way.

Yeah, this revolving door has to stop.  It would be nice to get some freshman, develop them and watch them grow and then give them a great send off as seniors.  I know there are plenty that do it this way, but the ever changing roster has to stop.

Too, too bad.  In a perfect world you have A.B on this team, Coleman, all our returners and the potential of the incoming class.  Certainly a loaded returning cast and a whole host of potential surprises that are sure to flush themselves out from the recruits--not to mention the expected improvements from Ivo, Reggie, DJ, etc.... after a year of college hoops under their belts

Now suddenly were back to a bunch of ???.  Now matter how you want to spin it, it's really watered down compared to what it "could have" been.

One would think someone could explain to Mr. Coleman the position he could find himself in two years from now if he took what appears to be the prudent approach to his career development.  I would explain to him the three-fold approach whereas in two years he could have the options of:  (1)  Eurpopean hoops (nice salary); (2)  a college degree under his belt (difficult enough to make it in today's world with a degree, not alone without one); (3) his music career which he'd have 20+ years to develop further and doesn't need to necessarily start now.  Makes too much sense.

I've never met or spoken a word to Mr. Coleman, so I certainly don't fully understand all the factors playing into the decision being discussed here.  However a wise veteran coach once explained something to me when I first got into coaching that I've never forgotten.  When I first started coaching I would always spend countless hours counseling young men/woman who were making what appeared to be unwise choices.  His lesson to me was, "you can't talk logic to those not operationg on logic."  You just end up frustating them and yourself.    From a distance it appears Mr. Coleman is not trying to think this through logically, but instead just doing what he wants to do.  And that my friends, is often difficult to person to have an edcuated discussion with.

Pretty safe to assume that if you ask him when he's a 50 year old man if he makes the same decision now as he did as a young man---he tells you it was a mistake.  Hope we're all wrong because you never want someone to fail, but this one just seems too obvious.  Hope you're reading Mr. Coleman or that someone passes this onto you ASAP!   From the outside looking in, with no supporting data, there's a 90%+ chance you're making a big mistake.  That the three-fold approach in 2 years leaves you with zero options other than starting  over again at East Utah State JC.  And I don't think people in Utah like rap.