A day after the University of Minnesota announced that it wouldn’t clear star basketball recruit Jarvis Johnson because of a medical condition, there are more questions surrounding the news.
According to the Star Tribune, Johnson remains “in shock” by the school’s decision.
The Gophers, coach Richard Pitino and the family issued a statement Monday that read “While we are extremely disappointed, the health and welfare of Jarvis is our highest priority.”
Statement from #Gophers basketball regarding Jarvis Johnson: pic.twitter.com/Uu6GdCx7dK
— Tyler Mason (@tylermason21) June 15, 2015
The announcement said the program would honor Johnson’s scholarship and would provide a role for him within the program, but wouldn’t clear him to play.
Johnson has a heart condition known as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. It led to his collapse during a practice in 2010. Johnson’s doctor cleared him to play. He went on to lead DeLaSalle High School to four Minnesota state championships and became a sought-after college recruit, all while playing with a defibrillator in his chest.
According to the Star Tribune, the U of M told Johnson and his family of their decision during a group meeting June 8.
Curtis Johnson tells the newspaper that his son underwent tests and a physical over the last two months, but the family had no indication that anything was wrong and he said nothing has changed with his son’s medical condition.
“We felt a little misguided in the way the recruitment went, and then the sudden decision last week,” Curtis Johnson told the Star Tribune. “It really limited our options with only a week before school started.”
While Jarvis Johnson did enroll in classes at the University of Minnesota, The Daily Gopher says it sounds like he might be looking for a new school to play for.
But, according to the Pioneer Press’ Marcus Fuller, Johnson’s mother says the family remains in full support of the Gophers and coach Pitino.
Glad my boy @MuhneyyChief_12 is a Gopher! Couldn't ask for a better Coach! #Pitino
— Bossmomma (@tanishalajoy) June 17, 2015
About Johnson’s future in college basketball, his high school coach has no doubt.
“With everything that he’s been through, I truly believe that he will find a way to play basketball again,” said DeLaSalle coach Dave Thorson to the Pioneer Press. “He just keeps fighting through adversity and never gives up.”
