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Myck Kobongo ready to get back to the court

North Carolina Texas Basketball

Texas guard Myck Kabongo, right, embraces Julien Lewis (14) after their 85-67 win over North Carolina in an NCAA college basketball game, Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2012, in Austin, Texas. Lewis scored 16 points in the victory. The NCAA is investigating Kabongo’s relationship with an agent and Texas has given no indication when or if he’ll return. (AP Photo/The Daily Texan, Lawrence Peart)

AP

It’s been a long 23 games for Texas’ Myck Kabongo.

After being found to have committed NCAA violations involving an off-season training trip to Cleveland, then lying to university officials about it, Kabongo was given a suspension, then it was finally given a tag of almost three-quarters of the season.

Needless to say, the Longhorns and their 10-13 record, 2-8 in Big 12 play, have reflected how badly they need him. They’ve been anemic offensively and there’s no collective of players that can match Kabongo’s energy on both sides of the ball.

Well on Wednesday against Iowa State, the sophomore, who bypassed the NBA Draft last summer to lead these Longhorns, returns. He released a statement on the entire situation through the university athletic website on Monday.

Said Kabongo:

“I am ready to start playing with my team again and putting behind me the last several months. When I went to Cleveland last summer, I did not intend to break any rules and did not believe I had broken any. I should have been upfront with UT about everything the first time I had a chance, but I’m glad that I corrected my mistake and I’m glad that I was truthful with the NCAA.

I have learned a lot about myself and what is important to me through this process. I have a great team, and they have supported me all year. I believe I am a better teammate and am looking forward to finishing the season with my team. I want to thank my teammates and my coaches for sticking by and supporting me all year.”


There’s not even a question that Kabongo brings everything that Texas lacks with his return. Expect him to just right in and put the team on his back. He’ll lead the team in scoring, probably in assists and possibly in steals. He’ll definitely be helped by the play of Shelden McClellan, who despite the lack of pub, has put together a decent season averaging 14.3 points per game to lead the team.

No, he won’t make enough of an impact to lead this team to the NCAA Tournament. But this team can still be an NIT team if they rally behind Kabongo. And, though this is probably his last season in a Texas uniform, should be good enough despite the way this season has gone to this point for Kabongo and coach Rick Barnes.

Follow David Harten on Twitter at @David_Harten.