Jeremiah Davis III Transferring From Cincinnati

Feb 11, 2012; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Cincinnati Bearcats guard Jeremiah Davis (0) during the game against the Marquette Golden Eagles at the Bradley Center. Marquette defeated Cincinnati 95-78. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Some discouraging news was released today on the basketball side. Sophomore Jeremiah Davis has decided to leave the program.

Since the start of the season, we knew there was something fishy going on with JDIII this year. Despite behind hampered by a wrist injury in 2011-12 that held him out for most of the season, I had projected the sophomore to compete for the starting point guard role with Ge’Lawn Guyn and Troy Caupain.

That prediction couldn’t have been more wrong.

It turns out Guyn wound up winning the role, which he still owns, with Caupain his backup. Davis was no where to be found and barely garnered time on the court at all. Well now it appears we know why, courtesy this quote from the man himself.

"“Due to the extremely difficult situation that my family has endured with losing everything in a house fire, I’ve decided to go home”"

My goodness, the fact that JDIII even stayed at UC as long as he did let alone endure the pressure of being a full-time student athlete during that time is mighty impressive. I couldn’t have more respect for the young man for putting himself through that while his family in Muncie, IN was undergoing such hardship. It goes without saying that I wish Jeremiah Davis III the best of luck where ever he winds up.

For the Bearcats, the departure of the sophomore guard adds another scholarship with which Mick Cronin can work. He’s already inked three talented forwards (Moore, Clark, DeBerry) in the class of 2014. But with JDIII no longer with the program, Cronin might want to consider adding another guard to this recruiting class to add depth at the position. Or, considering it’s pretty late in the cycle and there are slim pickings right now, he might opt to pocket the scholarship and use it for a player from the class of 2015.

The school’s full press release on Jeremiah Davis III’s departure is below.

"CINCINNATI – Sophomore guard Jeremiah Davis III has decided to leave the University of Cincinnati and the men’s basketball program to return to his hometown of Muncie, Ind., it was announced on Thursday.“Due to the extremely difficult situation that my family has endured with losing everything in a house fire, I’ve decided to go home,” Davis said. “I want to thank everyone at UC, the fans, the coaching staff, Coach Cronin and my teammates for being so understanding and supportive. Trials and tribulations only make you stronger. It’s important to be with my family at this time.”Davis is looking to transfer to a school close to home.“Jeremiah informed me that he needs to be with his family at this time, which I totally understand,” UC head coach Mick Cronin said. “I appreciate his efforts as a Bearcat. He was a hard-working player who was on track to graduate after three years. We wish him nothing but the best.”Davis had seen action in six games off the bench for the Bearcats, averaging 5.0 minutes this season. He sat out the 2012-13 campaign after four games due to a wrist injury and is currently seeking a medical hardship. As a freshman during the 2011-12 season, he played in 27 games, averaging 2.5 points and 0.9 rebounds in 7.9 minutes."