Steve Cleveland suspends Rekalin Sims

Fresno State Coach Steve Cleveland has suspended forward Rekalin Sims for academic reasons. Sims will miss the first few games of the new season and have his status re-evaluated after that.

Per Gary Estwick's article in the Fresno Bee:

"Senior forward Rekalin Sims, a projected starter on the Fresno State men’s basketball team, is suspended indefinitely after failing to meet the program’s academic standards, coach Steve Cleveland said Saturday afternoon.

Sims will miss Sunday's exhibition against Western Washington, as well as Tuesday’s exhibition against Fresno Pacific and the first three games of the season, Nov. 9-11 in the World Vision Classic at the Save Mart Center. His academic situation will then be re-evaluated, with his return to the Bulldogs contingent upon a renewed obligation to course work, Cleveland said..."

This is absurd selfishness on Sims' part. After high school at De La Salle in northern California, he goes prep school for two years in Maine, then spends two more seasons at Salt Lake City College and finally a wasted year at Kentucky before Cleveland took a chance on him as a one-year transfer -- something most coaches will not do.

Sims is supposed to be one of the team leaders. In fact, Estwick did a Fresno Bee article on October 14 about upperclass leadership on this season's Bulldog squad that contained this ironic quote:

"...Sims and Blair are two of Fresno State's six seniors, all capable of making an impact on this season's team. And for Cleveland, their impact starts with leadership..."

Now this may all be quickly forgotten if Sims gets back on track academically but it's not want the Fresno State coaching staff wants to deal with while trying to get the team ready. The Bulldogs' primary weakness this season is going to be rebounding and Sims' absence exacerbates that concern.

Ah, the life of a college basketball coach...