Amath M’Baye: Good Luck and Best Wishes

[SoonerTraveler]

http://www.soonersports.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/032713aaa.html

(excerpt from linked article)

"My time at OU has been great," said M'Baye, who averaged 10.1 points and 5.2 rebounds this season en route to earning third-team All-Big 12 honors. "I'm 23 years old. My goal when I came to the United States was to take care of business in the classroom and by the time I was 23 to have a degree in my pocket. Now that I'm graduating in May, it's time for me to start taking care of my family the way they've taken care of me for so long.

"It's a tough process of saying goodbye to everybody because I love everyone here," continued the 6-9, 208-pound native of Bordeaux, France. "The coaches did an amazing job with me and with this team in general. Everyone was great here and I had an amazing time. I want to be able to come back down the road and help the program however I can, because it's given me a lot."

The Preseason Big 12 Newcomer of the Year, M'Baye helped the Sooners to a 20-12 record and a return to the NCAA Tournament after a three-year hiatus. He ranked second on the team in rebounding and third in scoring, and shot .461 from the field, .279 (12-for-43) from 3-point range and .750 (60-for-80) from the free throw line. He started all 32 contests and was named to the Big 12 All-Rookie Team, as well as to the Academic All-Big 12 First Team.

"Amath has been a terrific ambassador for the University of Oklahoma, both on the court and in the classroom," said OU head coach Lon Kruger. "We appreciate his many contributions and wish him nothing but great success in the future.

Congratulations for your academic achievements and for obtaining your degree from The University of Oklahoma. Thank you for representing the University as a polite, respectful and classy individual. Best wishes as you pursue your goals and dreams.

Boomer Sooner!

________________

 

[Cleavon Little]

Getting to the tourney was a team effort and he was a major part of that. Best wishes and hope you have a long and enjoyable career playing ball. You are a Sooner now - no matter where you go in the world, remember you'll always be welcome in Norman.

 

[BigTime]

Best of luck to you, Amath

 

[tycat947]

Agree with all of the above. He's graduating and moving on to the next chapter in his life. Best of luck, Amath!

 

[Escape Goat]

Thanks for your hard work AM. I'd me remiss if I didn't feel a little "what if" in this situation but he made the decision so I support him. Wish he would have, if all reports are true, told the coaches ahead of time so they could be prepared.

 

[TINY]

Good luck, Amath! Especially if you have aspirations to play pro ball...

He earned his degree, which is really important since he won't be playing high level pro ball.

 

[AdaSooner]

I'll admit that I'm really bummed out that Amath is leaving early. Still, I don't know how anyone can not wish him well in everything he does in the future. That's certainly the case with me.

Best of luck always, Amath! Hope your decision works out for the best so we get to watch you in the NBA someday.

 

[HeismanWatch]

He should have stayed one more year to get a free masters degree.

He isn't NBA material imo and he won't bank enough coin to justify leaving early.

One more year would have been a chance for him to improve on that 10 points per game average, which isn't going to impress anyone.

 

[stoopified]

My gut reaction was ARE YOU F"ING KIDDING ME? EIGHT HOURS LATER THAT IS STILL MY REACTION. A'MT IS IN NO WAY READY TO PLAY IN THE NBA. Good luck to him.:facepalm