Eli Holman will not play IU basketball next season, destroys campus property

[David Burkart]

To add to the whirlwind of shocking episodes that have plagued IU basketball this year, Eli Holman has left the team, according to an official statement released this morning by IU Basketball Coach Tom Crean.

According to the statement, Holman met with Crean to discuss whether he would return next year. But the meeting turned sour in the end. “The conversation was very cordial but unfortunately, it did not end that way,” said Crean in the statement. “His behavior took me, along with the other people in the office, by surprise.”

The IDS reported this morning that police were dispatched to calm the angry Holman after he threw a potted plant in the men’s basketball office. The police were called as a “precautionary measure,” said Crean, and Holman was not arrested.

“We saw him as a danger to himself and wanted to take precautionary measures to help him,” said Crean in the statement. “We felt bad for Eli and hopefully were able to help him.”

Crean added, “I do not anticipate Eli being back at Indiana. We will do our best to help him move forward and wish him well.”

Holman only played six games this past season due to a wrist injury. In those games, the 6’9” freshman averaged 1.0 points and 1.7 rebounds.

His absence will have a lasting impact on Indiana’s offense next season. Aside from 6’8” DeAndre Thomas, Holman was the only player with decent height expected to return to the program. IU’s returning roster is now shortened to only five players: Brandon McGee, Brett Finkelmeier, Kyle Taber, Jordan Crawford and DeAndre Thomas.

So, what's your reaction? Talk about it in our Indiana Basketball - IUplanet: Indiana Hoosier forums, sports, photos, and Bloomington life"]Indiana Basketball Forum[/url]. Also, be sure to check out Crean's full statement below.

[Other sources]
Eli Holman will not return to IU next season| Inside the Hall
Police dispatched to Assembly Hall to calm an angry Eli Holman
Scout.com: Crean Issues Statement on Holman Incident
basketblog Blog Archive Holman off team; police dispatched to calm him down
Holman asks to leave IU; police called to Assembly Hall | The Hoosier Scoop

[David Burkart]

"We met with Eli Holman this afternoon. He had a good meeting with our assistant coaches earlier in the day. I felt like he still was not sure whether or not he wanted to be here which surprised me because everything we have seen from him had been very positive in terms of staying at Indiana and moving forward. I have no idea what made him change his mind and arrive at this point. He indicated that he would like to leave Indiana, although I was hopeful that we could work through this situation to come to an arrangement we both were comfortable with and to take some time to make a decision.

The conversation was very cordial but unfortunately, it did not end that way. His behavior took me, along with the other people in the office, by surprise. We saw him as a danger to himself and wanted to take precautionary measures to help him. We felt bad for Eli and hopefully were able to help him.

I do not anticipate Eli being back at Indiana. We will do our best to help him move forward and wish him well."

[CreanforLife]

Damn I wonder what he was so pissed about? I hate that we don't get the whole story, just a bunch of ambiguity and spin. It's too bad that Holman won't stay here and get it together, he has great potential.

[IUBalla512]

Man, why can't Sampson's guys get along with ANYBODY? I just don't get it!

[EricB]

How's that for an amicable departure? Let Holman take his hot head and questionable academics elsewhere.

[gohoosiers60]

What is wrong with this guy?? I wonder what school will be willing to pick him up, I don't think he's worth the scholarship, especially if he is forced to sit out another year. Leaving IU is a decision that he will regret.

[CreamNCrimson86]

Personally I thought Eli Holman might have been a lost cause ever since he was injured for the season this year. He was already so raw, the additional year out probably stunted his development too harshly for him to ever become an impact player anyways.

[iuhoosiers17]

I hear he's going to UDM now with McCallum? I like McCallum, but how could you leave a scholarship at IU?!