My Two Cents: Free Myck

We all know, or should know, that Texas Longhorn Myck Kabongo is under investigation by the NCAA for a situation that came up about the time the season started.  It's been almost two months and we have neither a resolution, good or bad, or Myck on the court yet.  Can Ball Ray gives his two cents on the situation that seems to be as far from a conclusion as outer space ...




The start of the NCAA season had come and gone and there has been one thing that has made it hard for me to swallow right now in spite of the success of our Canadian kids:  Sophomore point guard Myck Kabongo still hasn't stepped on a basketball court for the Texas Longhorns.

As you all may know, or should know, Kabongo is being investigated by the NCAA for a workout session that he was at in Cleveland this past summer with long time buddy Tristan Thompson.  Fine, the investigation was bound to happen because two big things set up red flags to anyone on an infraction committee: 1) Thompson is now an NBA player and 2) there was an agent lurking not to far behind the pro player. I can accept that this would be reasons to investigate Kabongo's workout.

But what has me wondering about this whole thing is the amount of time that this investigation is taking.

The story broke on October 11 and it's currently November 29. That is 49 days of snooping and detective work.  Why hasn't the NCAA ruled in any way by now?

I think there is something particularly suspicious of this whole situation, the investigation I mean.  I'm not close to the matter in any way and I have not found anything to support any findings I may think is plausible but there is something to be inferred from the amount of time being taken on a matter, that I think, is as minor as a paid workout with a professional trainer.

In the grand scheme of NCAA violations (if it is indeed a violation) this is a relatively small situation.

Kabongo isn't on an OJ Mayo trip with an agent lavishing him, through his AAU coach, with luxury goods.  Kabongo's parents have not received a job and home in any affluent suburb like, say, Renaldo Sidney.  The amount of this so called benefit was nothing compared to these and other athletes' actual improper benefits.  Kabongo is by all accounts a stand up guy without history of violations of any kind to warrant an NCAA investigation.

So what is the hold up?

The most aggravating thing is that no one really seems to have any answer as to why. The only thing I've found on the situation on the subject was that he may be looking at a 10-game ban/suspension for his alleged violation which will be retroactive.  But this is not a reason for the delay in the process.

Well here's the kicker.

The recent story that surfaced on the incredible mishandling of a similar investigation on UCLA's star freshman Shabazz Muhammad has definitely served as a black eye for the NCAA investigation committee and has focused a critical lens on the whole process.  Ad to that the story of the two Indiana freshmen that are currently suspended for what the NCAA deemed improper benefits given by a former coach over a situation the two players had absolutely no control over or knowledge about have really cast the collegiate governing body under a lot of scrutiny.

With these two particular cases in mind, I can see why the whole process is taking long but neither a why or when Kabongo will suit up has been given.  Texas has not released any statements post allegations and Myck isn't talking as well.

Frankly, I don't think we'll ever get a real reason in the end. I do suspect that there is something behind the investigation that is either damaging to the point of dragging out the situation or that the NCAA is really looking to make an example of Myck. I don't have evidence to support any of my ideas mind you but as a person with a brain that has been programed to be critical of oddly occurring situations, like this investigation, I have to conclude this or the other.

So what are we left to do in the mean time?

The only thing we can do is hope that he gets his season officially started at some point before the end of, well, next March.  The team is playing well without Kabongo right now and early on they are boasting a 4-2 overall record. I just don't want him to be left behind in the mix and return to a situation that he can't improve for him team and himself.  He was to be the star of a team that has had last year's graduate but shining in street clothes is not helping his team on the floor.

I just want my man Myck back on the floor to salvage what could have been a really productive year but that's just me.  I don't think the NCAA is working on my timeline.  Nor do I think they really care to expedite the matter.

All I can really say now is Free Myck.