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Jalen Steele’s career at Mississippi State is over (UPDATED)

Mississippi St Tennessee Basketball

Mississippi State guard Jalen Steele (0) was briefly benched to ice his knees during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Tennessee at Thompson-Boling Arena, Saturday, Jan. 19, 2013, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Knoxville News Sentinel, Adam Brimer)

AP

After three seasons that included multiple injuries Jalen Steele decided his playing career at Mississippi State is over, the school announced on Tuesday.

The 6-foot-3 guard from Knoxville, Tenn., entered Starkville as a three-start commit. However, during his stint in a Bulldogs uniform he has suffered a broken wrist and most recently a torn ACL back in March in a loss to South Carolina. That season-ending injury -- a phrase MSU was all to familiar with hearing this past season -- came a month after Steele was suspended indefinitely, which sidelined him for three games.

“What Jalen has experienced with injuries has been extremely unfortunate,” Mississippi State head coach Rick Ray said in a statement. “He’s battled through a lot of adversity, and it’s important we do everything we can to support and help him earn his degree from Mississippi State.”

In 18 games this season, Steele averaged 10.1 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.1 steals per game. He will stay and focus on graduating this spring, according to the university.

[UPDATE]

As seen above, the school announced that Steele had made the choice to end his playing career. Though according to Steele’s Twitter account that is not the case:

Hilarious I’m not done playing just wanted to take a year off to get stronger and be strong for my senior year.

— Jalen Steele (@Jalensteele0) September 17, 2013

I came back last year to play ball and also for the people of Mississippi state we a family but there is always a home wrecker.

— Jalen Steele (@Jalensteele0) September 18, 2013

All I wanted was a redshirt and come back stronger next year but they got what they wanted.....

— Jalen Steele (@Jalensteele0) September 18, 2013

I hope my dude stay strong those snakes coming for him Next I heard they said 1 down 1 more to go.....

— Jalen Steele (@Jalensteele0) September 18, 2013

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