UPDATED: Amir Rashid leaves CMU men's basketball team
Updated: 12:30 a.m. Friday
Central Michigan senior guard Amir Rashid has left the program.
In a statement released Thursday afternoon by CMU, Rashid made the decision to leave the team for “personal reasons.” He remains enrolled at the school in pursuit of his degree.
“We, as a family, respect Amir and his decision,” CMU head coach Ernie Zeigler said after the team’s 68-58 loss against Miami Thursday. “He really wants to focus on obtaining his degree and having his focus on his academic endeavors. He just felt like this where he was at this point.“
Central Michigan Life first reported Rashid’s decision Thursday afternoon, citing a source with the team. According to the source, who asked to remain anonymous because of the nature of the situation, Rashid informed the team early in the week of his decision.
He did not practice Tuesday and Wednesday and was not present at the team’s preparation walk through Wednesday evening.
Rashid, CMU’s starting point guard, struggled offensively all season. He averaged 4.9 points and 2.8 rebounds per game, while his 27.4 shooting percentage was the lowest in the starting lineup.
Asked if Rashid underachieved during his time here, Zeigler gave a “no comment.”
“I support the kid,” Zeigler said. “It’s about him having an opportunity to get his degree. He gave us his heart and soul while he was with our team and helped us last year win the MAC West. I have nothing but positive things to say about him.
Zeigler recruited the 5-foot-9, 165-pounder in 2008 from Trinity Valley Community College (Texas). In 2009, Rashid’s first season with the program, he averaged 5.2 points per game off the bench.
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