Syracuse, N.Y. ― Former Syracuse University basketball player Howard Washington has opted out of the 2020-21 season at South Alabama.
Washington, a 6-foot-3 guard, transferred to South Alabama this past summer after spending the three previous years at Syracuse.
South Alabama coach Richie Riley made the announcement after the Jaguars’ game against Jacksonville State on Sunday night. Riley offered no other details on Washington’s decision.
Efforts to reach Washington have been unsuccessful. Officials at South Alabama said they haven’t been in contact with Washington and had no other information.
The NCAA has given college athletes the option of opting out of the 2020-21 season due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Washington has underlying medical issues that could be part of his decision to sit out this year.
As a sophomore at Syracuse, Washington suffered a stroke while walking across campus. Doctors removed two blood clots from his brain. He later underwent surgery to repair a hole in his heart, which had been the cause of the blood clots.
Washington, a native of Buffalo, appeared in 18 games as a freshman at Syracuse before tearing the ACL in his right knee during practice. He missed the remainder of the season.
After suffering the stroke in the fall of 2018, Washington returned to play in three early-season games but then decided to take a medical redshirt.
He returned to play last season. He played in 19 games, averaging 1.2 points and 1.1 assists per game.
At the ACC tournament last March, Washington was given the Bob Bradley Courage Award, which is presented annually to a player, coach or athletic staffer who displays courage and a love for the game.
Washington will still have two more years’ of eligibility remaining after this season. He would have been eligible for the 2021-22 season anyway and could play the following year as well since the NCAA has awarded all winter sports athletes an extra year in light of the coronavirus pandemic.
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Mike Waters is a reporter for the Syracuse Post-Standard and syracuse.com. Got a comment or idea for a story? He can be reached via email at mwaters@syracuse.com.