In a disappointing turn of events for the St Laurence Geelong Supercats, star import Isma’il Muhammad will not be returning to the club in 2012.
Just ten days after announcing that Muhammad would be back for his fourth season in the SEABL, the Geelong Supercats released Isma’il from his contract in order for him to continue to chase his NBA dream.
Muhammad was invited to participate in several NBA pre-season camps after returning to the USA at the conclusion of the 2011 SEABL season. He trained with the Charlotte Bobcats, the same team that he had try outs with the previous year, before being cut just three days before the beginning of the NBA season.
After being cut from the Bobcats roster, Muhammad agreed to terms and was committed to return to Australia to play for the St Laurence Geelong Supercats in 2012. However, since signing his contract, further opportunities have arisen for Muhammad to get possibly get picked up to play in the NBA summer league in July.
The NBA summer league runs for three weeks over the month of July, plus pre-season training of 1-2 weeks, meaning that if Muhammad were to play for the Supercats and go back for the summer league he would miss 5-6 weeks of the SEABL season. The Supercats have released Muhammad from his contract and he will look to play elsewhere before returning to the US in June in the hopes of being picked up for the NBA summer league.
Isma’il, or “Izzy” as he is known by Supercats fans, was extremely disappointed to not be returning to Australia but felt that this was the best thing for his basketball career.
“This was really the toughest decision I ever had to make. I had committed to the Supercats and I was really looking forward to coming back. But when the possibility of the summer league was brought to my agent’s attention, he and I discussed it and decided I had to give it one more shot.
I’ve had several attempts at making an NBA roster, but the most recent was by far my best effort and the closest I’ve come to making it. As I get older my chances get less and less, and realistically this would be my last chance if I’m given another opportunity. I feel like I need to put myself in the best possible position to do that.”
I want to thank everyone involved with the Supercats for being so supportive of me during this time. The team, the coach, my sponsor, and the administration have been very understanding of my position and I am really going to miss everyone.”
The St Laurence Geelong Supercats are now searching for a replacement import for Muhammad. Coach Jamie O’Loughlin has spent the last few days talking with several prospects and hopes to make a decision as soon as possible.
“Since speaking with Izzy we have been in contact with our player agents and have a short list of exciting players to consider, we hope to have a new import secured very soon. The fact is it’s not possible to just “replace” Isma’il, he like every player on our team, is a one of a kind. With the 7 local players we already have and the extremely talented import Theron Wilson we are already a different team to last year, now the evolution continues” said O’Loughlin.
The Geelong Supercats are disappointed to be losing such a quality player and person but wish Izzy all the best in his pursuit of the NBA and continued success in his basketball career.
