UW Husky MBB Players Impacted By News Of Lorenzo Romar’s Release

The UW Husky Men’s Basketball learned of the news of head coach Lorenzo Romar’s release today. Here are some of the reactions of the players

The UW Husky Men’s basketball team faced adversity this season, at an intensity seldom seen in the Pacific Northwest, and never before by the Huskies. By the victory over the University of Colorado Buffalos in overtime on January 18, 2017, the Huskies tasted their last victory of the 2016-2017 season.

The Huskies would go on to lose the last twelve games of the season. Then, the team fought bravely but was ousted from the PAC-12 tournament by losing to USC in the first round, 78-73.

The losing streak set record for the University of Washington. But as the record for consecutive losses entered the record books, another fate was being written.

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The Huskies had seen enough, and on March 15, 2017, head coach Lorenzo Romar was informed that the University would no longer retain his services.

In short, a chapter ended.

More Than Basketball

And so, a chapter ends in the annals of the University of Washington Men’s Basketball team. You see, this was not just a basketball team. This was not just a game.  In fact, this was a bona-fide family unit.  In other words, this group of individuals were forged by the same adversity that sealed the fate of their head coach.

This was a group of young men who learned a very difficult lesson today

Basketball is not just a game. Not at the level of the PAC-12 competition. It is a sport with goals, plans, measurements and, unfortunately, repercussions.

Ultimately, the future of any NCAA Men’s basketball head coach falls upon the W’s and the L’s.  Not only did the Huskies have too few W’s, but they had too many L’s and had them too often.  In the end, Lorenzo Romar taught his players about life, about dignity, about humility.  He loved his players, defended them when they were challenged.

But in the end, he taught the most likely the most important lesson of all. Accountability.

NBA Is Not A Game

The next step for some players is the NBA. On one hand, for some it will remain a dream of “what ifs”.  On the other hand, for others it will be elusive, but if the focus and dedication remains true, will happen.

Busting Brackets

But it’s not a curriculum at the next level. It’s not a path to free education. It’s a career. It feeds the family, pays the bills, and rewards at the highest level.  But the cost is steep. The NBA must fill the stands, give television networks competitive games. That means teams must be sharp. Likewise, that means players must give their all.

It’s no longer optional. The line that forms for each roster spot on the thirty NBA teams is far in excess of the 450 opportunities to play for a team in any given year.

Don’t squander the opportunity.

That lesson has just become very fresh in the lives of the Husky Men’s basketball team players.

And it should be learned, quickly and completely. Professional sports are not forgiving. Stands are filled with fans who are not shy about their displeasure with the teams they  support. Those fans will rain boos if the team is not successful.   In the end, sports will forever be a matter of success now.

Markelle, Markelle, What of Markelle?

And what of Markelle Fultz? He had already made his decision to join the NBA on March 10, 2017. But if he had any doubts before, he’s certainly all in now.

You see, Fultz held great admiration for his head coach.  And he had solid reasons for doing so.   As the season drew to a close, Markelle Fultz suffered a knee injury that interrupted his season.  As the team suffered a University record losing streak, Fultz was ordered by physicians to sit it out.

Sitting out drew questions from fans. Head coach Lorenzo Romar defended his star from any hint of saving it all for the NBA.

But it opened up the head coach to criticism. Some was warranted. Some was pent up frustration from highly ranked recruits failing to translate into success. But some fell upon the coach due to the losses by the team, the absence of the star player in the lineup, and the inability of the team to regroup.  In the end, the University of Washington agreed, it was time for farewells.

Markelle Fultz Reaction

As news broke, and details began to surface, Markelle Fultz did not hesitate to express his thoughts and feelings for his head coach:

And as Markelle Fultz prepares for a career in the NBA, new players prepare to play NCAA Men’s basketball.

Porter, Hey Porter, Can you tell me the time?

And what of UW Husky incoming players? Well first and foremost, all eyes have turned to Michael Porter Jr.  You see, he is expected to play for the University of Washington Huskies Mens Basketball Team in 2017  He also just happens to be the top rated recruit in the nation by many accounts.

And he was a Lorenzo Romar recruit.

So too have eyes turned toward the Men’s basketball recruiting class of 2018, and Jontay Porter.  Like Michael, Jontay is a Lorenzo Romar recruit.

To some, the dismissal of Lorenzo Romar was the only course of action to take. While that may be true in terms of team wins, it’s not the only consideration.  In the ultimate measure, Romar developed NBA caliber players from the high school prospects he recruited.  In fact, many emerge into the NBA after just a year at college.

The University of Washington has already begun the nationwide search to recruit Lorenzo Romar’s replacement. But no new head coach will easily fill his shoes in the eyes of the players he has touched.

Next: Lorenzo Romar Released! Can UW MBB Turn Team Around Next Season?

Only time will fill that void.