Mercer Reinstated to USF Basketball Team

Guard Mike Mercer has been reinstated to the men's basketball team after being dismissed from the team in January USF Head Coach Stan Heath announced today.

Guard Mike Mercer who was dismissed from the team in January has been reinstated to the men's basketball team after being USF Head Coach Stan Heath announced today.

"Mike's conduct in September 2008 and January 2009 led to his dismissal from the team and disassociation from our basketball program. Since that time - a period of seven months - Mike has demonstrated a commitment to his education that resulted in his graduation from USF this summer, and he has been fully compliant with all obligations related to both incidents,” said USF Head Coach Stan Heath.

Mercer transferred from Georgia where he was the team’s leading scorer in 2006, but after sitting out a year, he injured his knee early last season. He was dismissed from the team in January after his second arrest. Mercer graduated from USF with a Bachelor's Degree in August and will have one season of eligibility remaining.

“Mike has accepted significant conditions related to his scholarship, academic performance and participation in a highly-structured life skills and community service program that are an indication he fully understands my expectations of him. I am proud that he has earned his degree and that he wants to continue his education at USF under the conditions I have outlined for him,” said Heath.

"I am extremely grateful for the opportunity Coach Heath has given me to re-join the basketball team,” said Mercer. “I apologize again to my teammates, my coaches and the USF community for my poor decisions last year. I am very proud to be a graduate of USF and look forward both to continuing my education here and to making positive contributions on and off the court.”

“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,” said Head Coach Stan Heath. “I believe Mike has earned the opportunity to be reinstated to our team and look forward to his return,”