Devoe walks away from Gophers
A few months ago, Minnesota came thisclose to landing Cory Joseph, the younger brother of Devoe Joseph who ultimately chose friends over family when he bypassed Minnesota for Texas. Since then, things have been spiraling downward quickly for Devoe.
He began the season with an indefinite suspension for violating unspecified team rules … a euphemism coach Tubby Smith often uses when attempt to protect a player’s reputation while still handing out discipline. Devoe eventually returned but the sophomore didn’t like playing behind seniors Blake Hoffarber and Al Nolan. He grew impatient and, this week, walked away off the team with no announced plans as to where he’ll go next.
Wherever he goes, he’ll have to set out a year as a waiver is unlikely under the circumstances. But don’t be surprised if he at least tries to seek a scholarship from Texas, to join up with brother Cory.
This makes the fifth player to transfer out of Tubby’s program in the last couple seasons, but coach Smith says people ought not worry any more than the makers of the HTC Desire Android phone should worry about the iPhone coming to Verizon.
Why?
Well, because all the transfers happened under different circumstances. Paul Carter left because he had a sister diagnosed with cancer. Cobbs, like Joseph, wanted more playing time than perhaps he was ready for. But Royce White had legal problems.
Trevor Mbakwe had to sit out last season and flirted with transferring, but ultimately decided to stay.
While four players transferring out has an impact, coach Smith is the caliber of coach who can withstand the criticisms that might come his way; given his track record, he can easily point out that players who buy into his system do well, while those who don’t? Well, they tend to end up elsewhere. Just like Cobbs, White and Joseph. (No one’s blaming Paul Carter for transferring… family comes first.)
