Injuries have forced a second member of the Steele family to end his college basketball career early.
Two years after former Alabama star Ronald Steele left the team during his senior season as a result of a flurry of knee and leg injuries, younger brother Andrew Steele announced Friday he's giving up basketball due to lingering concussion symptoms. The redshirt junior suffered his fourth concussion during Alabama's SEC tournament loss to Kentucky on March 12 and sat out the remainder of the postseason.
Upon returning to physical activities two months after the season ended, Steele began to experience many of the same symptoms he endured after originally sustaining the concussion. The 6-foot-4 guard consulted with his parents, coaches and Alabama's medical staff before making the mature decision that basketball wasn't worth sacrificing his long-term health.
"It was a hard decision, but it was a choice between something I had been doing whole life and something that could affect the rest of my life going forward," Steele said. "For me, it wasn't worth taking the potential risk. Having the coaches and medical staff in my corner made this a lot easier knowing that they were looking out for me and my long-term health while giving me all the information I needed to make my decision. They have gone above and beyond in helping me and I couldn't be more thankful."
The absence of Steele will create more opportunities for Alabama's young perimeter players to earn minutes alongside returning starters Trevor Releford and Tony Mitchell. Sophomore-to-be Charles Hankerson earned extended playing time with Steele sidelined during Alabama's NIT run last March, but freshmen Trevor Lacey, Levi Randolph and Rodney Cooper each should have more opportunity to compete for immediate playing time.
Alabama coach Anthony Grant expressed hope that Steele will still be able to be one of the team leaders next season even if he isn't on the floor.
"We are saddened that he will no longer compete as a member of our team, however, we are extremely grateful for the contributions and dedication he has given our University and the character and selflessness with which he has represented our program," Grant said in a statement released by the school. "Andrew will remain on scholarship as a medical hardship and will continue to be a part of our team in a different capacity."
Shiri Appleby Kelly Hu Michelle Rodriguez Mena Suvari Georgina Grenville
No comments:
Post a Comment