04-26-2007, 01:17 PM
-- I remember being shocked when Cann picked USF over WVU. Why is the kid leaving if he can physically play?
Jackson
Cann Family Upset Over Scholarship
By BRETT MCMURPHY The Tampa Tribune
Published: Apr 26, 2007
TAMPA - At Brandon High, Zaronn Cann was one of the nation's top college basketball recruits, drawing interest from the likes of Duke, North Carolina, Louisville, Michigan, Florida and Florida State.
That all changed in his junior year on Jan. 16, 2004 when Cann tore the ACL, MCL and LCL in his left knee. During Cann's senior season, the only colleges willing to take a chance on him and his rebuilt knee were the University of South Florida, West Virginia and Virginia Tech.
Cann chose USF. Concerned that Cann might not regain the ability he had before major reconstructive knee surgery, Cann's mother, Zenobia Cann, and uncle, Joe Williams, wanted assurance that Cann's scholarship - renewed on a yearly basis - would be guaranteed for his entire USF career.
Athletic Director Doug Woolard told them that would be the case as long as there were no off-the-court issues, Zenobia Cann and Williams said.
On Tuesday, Coach Stan Heath told Cann, a freshman forward, that he could not return next season. As USF's new coach, Heath has the right to not renew any scholarships and determine who is on his team. However, Cann's family believes Zaronn should remain on a basketball scholarship because of Woolard's promise.
"We should not be in this situation," Williams said. "Doug Woolard committed to us that Zaronn would remain at USF on a basketball scholarship as long as there were no other problems."
Williams said that without Woolard's promise Cann would have gone to West Virginia or Virginia Tech, which made the same promise.
Heath said Cann's dismissal from the program "is not basketball related and is not injury related. This is in the best interest of the student-athlete.
"We will fully assist Zaronn helping him find a school that is best for him," Heath said. "Doug Woolard is fully committed to fulfilling his commitment to Zaronn and his family."
Woolard concurred with Heath's comments about Cann's removal from scholarship not being basketball or injury related.
"Coach Heath told me I wasn't going to get the [playing] time I wanted and it would be in my best interest to play somewhere else," Cann said. "I told him I could play for him, and he said I wasn't the caliber of player he wanted."
Cann said he recently missed some weightlifting and study hall requirements, but Williams questioned whether that was enough to dismiss Cann, who is academically eligible, from the team.
"If Doug Woolard can approve football players, who are arrested or test positive for drugs, to remain on scholarship - this is nowhere consistent when you look at the discipline he has or hasn't taken in the past," Williams said. "That's where I have a problem."
Cann and his family are scheduled to meet with Heath next week. Zenobia Cann said Heath said her son could remain on scholarship by taking a medical hardship - ending his eligibility to play the rest of his career - but Cann said he wants to continue to play at USF.
Jackson
Cann Family Upset Over Scholarship
By BRETT MCMURPHY The Tampa Tribune
Published: Apr 26, 2007
TAMPA - At Brandon High, Zaronn Cann was one of the nation's top college basketball recruits, drawing interest from the likes of Duke, North Carolina, Louisville, Michigan, Florida and Florida State.
That all changed in his junior year on Jan. 16, 2004 when Cann tore the ACL, MCL and LCL in his left knee. During Cann's senior season, the only colleges willing to take a chance on him and his rebuilt knee were the University of South Florida, West Virginia and Virginia Tech.
Cann chose USF. Concerned that Cann might not regain the ability he had before major reconstructive knee surgery, Cann's mother, Zenobia Cann, and uncle, Joe Williams, wanted assurance that Cann's scholarship - renewed on a yearly basis - would be guaranteed for his entire USF career.
Athletic Director Doug Woolard told them that would be the case as long as there were no off-the-court issues, Zenobia Cann and Williams said.
On Tuesday, Coach Stan Heath told Cann, a freshman forward, that he could not return next season. As USF's new coach, Heath has the right to not renew any scholarships and determine who is on his team. However, Cann's family believes Zaronn should remain on a basketball scholarship because of Woolard's promise.
"We should not be in this situation," Williams said. "Doug Woolard committed to us that Zaronn would remain at USF on a basketball scholarship as long as there were no other problems."
Williams said that without Woolard's promise Cann would have gone to West Virginia or Virginia Tech, which made the same promise.
Heath said Cann's dismissal from the program "is not basketball related and is not injury related. This is in the best interest of the student-athlete.
"We will fully assist Zaronn helping him find a school that is best for him," Heath said. "Doug Woolard is fully committed to fulfilling his commitment to Zaronn and his family."
Woolard concurred with Heath's comments about Cann's removal from scholarship not being basketball or injury related.
"Coach Heath told me I wasn't going to get the [playing] time I wanted and it would be in my best interest to play somewhere else," Cann said. "I told him I could play for him, and he said I wasn't the caliber of player he wanted."
Cann said he recently missed some weightlifting and study hall requirements, but Williams questioned whether that was enough to dismiss Cann, who is academically eligible, from the team.
"If Doug Woolard can approve football players, who are arrested or test positive for drugs, to remain on scholarship - this is nowhere consistent when you look at the discipline he has or hasn't taken in the past," Williams said. "That's where I have a problem."
Cann and his family are scheduled to meet with Heath next week. Zenobia Cann said Heath said her son could remain on scholarship by taking a medical hardship - ending his eligibility to play the rest of his career - but Cann said he wants to continue to play at USF.