Meek reporting that Watson is leaving.
K-State forward leaving team
THE CAPITAL-JOURNAL
Forward James Watson won't be part of the Kansas State basketball team next season.
Watson's mother, Annette, said a school official informed her of the decision Friday, citing health concerns. Annette Watson said her son suffers from Sickle cell anemia and was diagnosed with a heart defect while playing at Washington State. Watson has a history of fainting, she said, and was found unconscious in his bathroom early in his first season at K-State.
"Once he was found unconscious there, I think they were very concerned about the risk of him playing, if it reoccurred," she said.
Watson, who is scheduled to graduate in December, will remain on scholarship at K-State, his mother said. The school can apply for a medical exemption that would allow Watson to receive financial aid without counting toward the team's scholarship limit.
Watson started his career at Washington State before transferring to Cowley College. He appeared in one game as a Wildcat, logging three minutes against Southern Illinois before an elbow injury ended his season.
Watson had planned to apply for a medical hardship that would have allowed him to play two more years at K-State. Even with his health history, Watson had hoped to remain with the team next season, his mother said.
"I think he's still kind of in shock about it, but he's taking it very, very maturely," Annette Watson said.
School officials also cited Watson's academic performance as a factor, his mother said.
K-State needed to make a roster move after landing point guard Michael Orris, who had signed to play for coach oscar Weber at Illinois. The Wildcats, who also signed St. Louis forward Darrell Johnson, had only one scholarship senior on their 2011-12 roster.
