Geoff Burke-USA Today Sports
After weeks of ongoing speculation, former Alabama Crimson Tide forward Devonta Pollard has withdrawn from the university amid some ongoing legal troubles.
Earlier this month, Pollard was charged in connection to the kidnapping of a six year old girl back in April. Pollard’s mother is seen as the main cog and she could be facing life in prison if convicted of the maximum penalty. As for Pollard, well, he faces up to five years and a $250,000 fine for his role.
A trial date is currently set for Aug. 6, so it remains to be seen what Pollard’s future holds, but one thing is certain — he won’t be returning to the Crimson Tide next season. Pollard, a 6-foot-8 forward and Mississippi-native, averaged 3.9 points and 3.1 rebounds per game as a freshman this past season. However, Pollard had some increasing expectations in terms of looking ahead to next year. He was a former top 100 recruit coming out of high school and had been seen as an intricate part of the team’s future.
Head coach Anthony Grant confirmed with multiple media outlets on Tuesday afternoon though that Pollard is no longer a member of the program or the university as a whole.
Pollard has since returned to Mississippi and reports state that basketball is not his top priority, which is obvious. Pollard needs to get his legal issues sorted out and get his life back in order.
Pollard’s mother allegedly took the six year old girl because of a dispute over land.
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