Heath reinstates Mercer
USF basketball guard Mike Mercer, who was dismissed from the team in January, was reinstated to the basketball program by coach Stan Heath, USF announced Friday.
Mercer, a guard, was dismissed from the team in January after his arrest for possession of marijuana, his second run -in with the law while at USF.
“I am extremely grateful for the opportunity coach Heath has given me to rejoin the team,” Mercer said in a statement. “I apologize again to my teammates, my coaches, and the USF community for my poor decisions last year.”
Mercer was also arrested last September for public consumption of alcohol, a misdemeanor.
Mercer transferred to South Florida in November 2007 after being dismissed by the University of Georgia. With the Bulldogs, Mercer averaged 11 points per game during the 2005-06 season, his freshman year, and 13.6 points during the 2006-07 season.
Mercer had to sit out the 2007-08 season due to NCAA transfer rules. Last season with USF, he averaged 8.5 points per game in four appearances.
Mercer graduated from USF this past summer and will have one season of college eligibility remaining.
“Mike has demonstrated a commitment to his education that resulted in his graduation from USF, and he has been fully compliant with all obligations related to both incidents,” Heath said in a statement. “I am pleased that Mike has learned from this experience, and I am confident his conduct and personal development will be reflective of what we expect of each student-athlete in our program. I believe Mike has earned the opportunity to be reinstated to our team.
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