By Mike McGraw
HA.com Executive Director
Carmel standout basketball player Josh McRoberts has informed organizers he doesnâ??t want to play for the Indiana All-Stars this summer. That is a decision that is obviously within his rights, even if it appears to observers to be one born of selfishness.
We at HA.com believe that it is a decision he will regret in the years to come.
It may well be unfair to attribute McRobertsâ?? position to selfishness. He has not said anything publicly to the effect that this is in reaction to him not winning Indiana Mr. Basketball. In fact, the Duke-bound player, family, and school are being tight-lipped on the matter, and that is certainly their prerogative.
However, in the absence of any reason to the contrary, people will come to that conclusion.
Regardless of his reasoning, McRoberts is likely, and hopefully, going to look back years from now and regret his decision. Being an Indiana All-Star is the pinnacle for a prep player in this state. It is an honor that carries with it the respect and gratitude of an entire state for the rest of a young athleteâ??s life.
Moreover, there are players throughout the state who would give anything to be handed the opportunity to wear that uniform. One can only hope the young man has an awfully good reason to turn up his nose at the generations of tradition connected with the series.
McRoberts is not the first Indiana standout player to turn his back on the All-Stars after failing to win Mr. Basketball accolades. Brebeufâ??s Alan Henderson (second to Gary Rooseveltâ??s Glenn Robinson) did it in 1991 before heading off to Indiana, and Muncie Centralâ??s Bonzi Wells (second to Valparaisoâ??s Bryce Drew) did it 1994 before going to Ball State.
Disappointment is part of athletics. So is the responsibility of being a role model for younger children in the community. We believe that Josh will realize that some day, and it is then that he will regret his decision.
At least we sincerely hope so.
HA.com Executive Director Mike McGraw recently learned how to use a â??computerâ? and is currently working on the mastery of â??e-mail.â? He has coached hoops for quite a number of years, though, so presumably heâ??s semi-qualified to make the assessments above.
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