I'll preface this by making it clear that a few things have to happen before it's even a slight possibility, but USF coach Stan Heath said Monday that he would consider allowing senior guard Mike Mercer to rejoin the Bulls as a walk-on if he graduates as scheduled this summer and fulfills a pre-trial agreement that would have a misdemeanor charge against him dropped.
"His focus and my focus is totally on him graduating," Heath said. "I really want (that) badly for him, and I think he's doing a good job in that area. I've really been pleased with how he's gone through this process of doing what he's supposed to, but it's been totally on him finishing school."
Mercer, who was lost to a season-ending knee injury in December, was dismissed from the team in January after his second arrest in four months, which saw him and teammate Anthony Crater charged with a misdemeanor count of possession of marijuana after a traffic stop near campus. Mercer had been previously arrested in September on a charge of public consumption of alcohol. That charge has since been dropped in conjunction with Mercer entering a pre-trial agreement on the drug charge that calls for probation, community service and payment of court costs.
Even if Mercer were to fulfill his legal obligations and graduate in August, Heath said he isn't sure if he would -- or could -- allow him to return to the team. Heath already gave Mercer a second chance before the two arrests after he had been dismissed from the basketball team at Georgia. Heath said he has not spoken to athletic director Doug Woolard or others who would have to sign off on such a return.
"It's a discussion I'd need to have with my superiors," Heath said. "I don't want to say no, because at the time when everything happened, it was a no, but he's done enough right now where if he continues, I'm not going to totally say that's out of the realm of possibility, but it's a long shot right now."
USF has three freshmen -- Jordan Dumars, Shaun Noriega and Mike Burwell -- who are expected to compete for playing time at shooting guard/small forward alongside junior Dominique Jones and a rotations of point guards, and Mercer would give the Bulls experience and depth at the position.
Mercer, a two-year starter at Georgia, averaged 11.3 points in three games with the Bulls before he injured his knee against Wright State on Dec. 21. He could not be reached for comment, but his father Mike Mercer Sr. said from Georgia last week that his son has been concentrating on finishing his degree and will then make a decision about his basketball future.
Check back Tuesday for lots more on USF basketball -- we'll have Q&As with new assistants Eric Skeeters and Jeremy Cox along with Heath, and we'll tell you what veteran NBA guard was working with the Bulls guards in the Sun Dome on Monday ...
Times sportswriter Greg Auman, who covers USF, will post news and thoughts on the Bulletin and we invite your participation in the comments area.
Mike Mercer needs to be in jail. He is an A-hole to society. How many free passes will this punk get.
Posted by: Louis Williams | June 27, 2009 at 11:21 PM
Reality, yes, Stevo is the biggest idiot on this blog.
Posted by: Commish Chalko | June 17, 2009 at 04:14 PM
Is Mercer good? If so, let him play. Donte Stallworth just killed someone and got away with 30 days jail time. All Mercer was doin was smokin some grass. If he can make 3's and help us win, get him back on the team ASAP.
Posted by: Sam | June 17, 2009 at 02:33 AM
I was the 1st one to comment on this article. I stated that Heath was going out on a huge limb and that Mercer would be lucky. Never did I say that I approved or dissapproved. Personally, I think that He has had enough chances. You don't think Jarrid is a good recruit? You rail against Heath every chance you get. You don't think he is the right coach, fine, that's your choice. And if you want to align yourself with chalko the ucf troll, that's fine too. Makes sense, the way you complain about USF.
Posted by: Steve O'Neal | June 16, 2009 at 09:52 PM
No thanks, we don't need him representing the school in any fashion. Getting to play D-1 sports is a privilege, even if someone pays to have that privilege. Mercer has screwed up too many times to let him represent the school. He'll just embarrass everyone again.
Posted by: David Weber | June 16, 2009 at 08:10 PM
Ken, Mercer would have to be a student to be eligible to play. I'd imagine a suitable postgraduate path could be found.
Posted by: G.A. | June 16, 2009 at 06:21 PM
Doesn't he have to be a student here in some way to play on a team here? What will he doing as a student next year after he graduates, if he does?
Posted by: Ken | June 16, 2009 at 06:08 PM
No Stevo, I don't need anything to add to my Stan Heath sucks thoughts. I just am the only one smart enough to call out that he is willing to let back on the team a guy that has been arrested twice.....which in athlete terms is like getting arrested 20.....the guy got kicked out of an SEC school for God sake, doesnt that mean anything to you? I know with the infiltration of crime that is blossoming in Suitcase City, that a couple more arrests may not mean much, but Enough is Enough.
I applauded Stan when he got rid of this kid, and I sure as hell am going to call him out for bringing him back. Stan knows this is a make or break year, and he didnt recruit anyone, so he better see if Mike can make one last run before his knees give out on him again.
Steve, are you the same guy that Chalko picks on? I see why......I mean, even I can't stand Chalko, but I will have to join his crusade against you.....
Posted by: Reality | June 16, 2009 at 05:56 PM
That's the best you can do to slight Heath? Better coaches and better recruits and Heath starting to build something might just blow your Heath sucks theory, huh, Reality?
Posted by: Steve O'Neal | June 16, 2009 at 03:47 PM
Stan,
Your desperation is obvious without my green and gold goggles on.
Sincerely,
John Calipari
Posted by: Reality | June 16, 2009 at 03:09 PM
Whatever it takes to get the NCAA tournament is my attitude.
Sign up the guard from Singh Singh Prison for all I care.
Just show me a winner!
Posted by: Ari Hinkelberger | June 16, 2009 at 02:25 PM
Heath has already cleared this with his boss and team or at the very least discussed it with all parties if he was willing to speak to the media about it.
Also on a side note Mercer is a vertile guard/forward which is the type of player Coach Cox likes in his system. We will be running Cox's system and he will also oversee player development so a focus Mercer will be a benefit to our program.
He'll be a walkon with his degree so this is a win-win situation for USF imo.
Posted by: The Champ | June 16, 2009 at 10:04 AM
I think the most important thing for Mercer to do is graduate.
Posted by: Bull Daly | June 16, 2009 at 09:20 AM
Mike, USF would be spared any APR hit from Mercer if he graduates, regardless of whether he plays again or not. (If I understand things correctly ...)
Posted by: G.A. | June 16, 2009 at 08:37 AM
I think if Stan and Woolard approve this, the final decision should be up to the team.
Posted by: BullMedic | June 16, 2009 at 01:42 AM
If Mercer got his degree and was reinstated, would this have a positive effect on the team's APR?
This would be the only reason it should be considered.
Posted by: USFMike | June 15, 2009 at 11:38 PM
You've got to be kidding me. Second chances are great, but how many would that be for this guy....43?
If it happens, expect more of the same.
Posted by: RR | June 15, 2009 at 11:11 PM
I said the same thing back when he got dismissed from the team and everyone said I was crazy.
Posted by: AGW | June 15, 2009 at 10:33 PM
I called it!!!.
If anything else this motivates Mercer to do the right thing.
Posted by: The Champ | June 15, 2009 at 09:38 PM
USF, Keeping thug life real!!!!
Posted by: Commish Chalko | June 15, 2009 at 09:28 PM
Talk about going out on a limb for someone! That guy would be one LUCKY son of a gun if this happens!
Posted by: Steve O'Neal | June 15, 2009 at 08:06 PM