Hoops: Pilgrim’s Predicament
By John Helsley
follow me on twitter @jjhelsley
Matt Pilgrim is a complicated young man. Likable, yet complicated, as I found out in a lengthy interview with him before last year’s NCAA Tournament.
Seems like he’s gone through life with a chip on his shoulder, which has served him well at some points, not so well other times. Like now.
Cowboys coach Travis Ford announced Pilgrim’s indefinite suspension Friday night after the school’s Homecoming and Hoops event. And Ford sounded like indefinite meant just that — indefinite. This is just my take, but Pilgrim’s return likely comes down to how bad he wants to be a Cowboy. How bad he wants to practice and play and do everything it takes to be part of a team that features too many young influential pieces to accommodate anyone who is not all in.
And if it’s anything less than all in, the Cowboys will probably move on. And that’s too bad for OSU, considering Pilgrim’s freak athletic skills would come in handy.
And it’s too bad for Pilgrim, who may be frittering away any chance of playing in the NBA. Oh, his potential is that high, if he’s just willing to reach for it. Push for it. But NBA teams just don’t have the time or the use for troubled players, especially fringe players. Check out Tiny Gallon, a skilled big man who thought he was ready for “the league” after one rocky season at Oklahoma. Despite his promise and potential, at 19 or 20, whatever he is, Tiny’s been cut twice since being drafted in June.
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