I recently caught up with departed Quakers guard Remy Cofield. He left the team almost two weeks ago to make a fresh start next year at a college closer to his Newton, Mass. home. Cofield had a couple of big games as a freshman and showed decent athleticism but was a defensive liability and, by his admission, inconsistent. This year he was relegated to scrub status. Some of what he told me is below, edited for clarity. Look for a full story in the DP soon.
On leaving Penn: I had begun to think about a transfer situation at the onset of the year for two reasons: 1) I was not comfortable with the role I was playing on the team or lack thereof, and 2) I felt a lot of stress which was being amplified by basketball. ... When I said 'personal reasons' for why I was leaving, it was about me and what I was going through which was affecting my family and causing concerns ... I wanted to be closer to my family so I could regain that comfort that I used to have when I played ball.
On playing basketball again: I thought about playing wherever I go and I asked myself this question: Do you still love playing ball? As I've had time to think, I definitely do love playing ball. I do have a short list of schools that I would enjoy going to ... but nothing has been etched in stone.
On forgoing the rest of this season: I just did not want to be a burden to my teammates and what [the coaches] were trying to do with their program. It was the right time for me and I couldn't wait any longer.
On his development as a player: I've had times where I've played well but not on a consistent basis. I know that I have a ton of potential to reach as a player, and I'm nowhere near where I can be. I have a year and a half to work on the things in my game that are weak, and there is no doubt in my mind that I will reach those goals. ... Being here at Penn, I also did not believe that I could develop into the player that I wanted to be. That has bothered me, and played a part in my decision to leave.
Tags: basketball, remy cofield
An RSS feed of The Buzz is available
January 28th, 2009 at 2:05 pm
ummmm... not exactly a ringing endorsement for Glen Miller
January 28th, 2009 at 2:25 pm
Right. "Family" issues usually means his family needs him, not "I can't stand being on this team, and it's affecting me and therefore my family back home." I hope I'm wrong, but I wouldn't be surprised if other players also don't return.
January 30th, 2009 at 1:18 pm
Andrew, are you aware that Ibby Jaaber is having a great season with Vitras Roma? He's basically relegated Brandon Jennings, an expected NBA lottery pick, to secondary status. The New York Times recent article on Jennings conspicuously failed to mention Jaaber's stellar play as a factor in Jennings's truncated development. One wonders to what extent Ibby is on the NBA's radar, given his impressive development and the regular presence of NBA scouts at Roma's games (thanks to Jennings)?
January 30th, 2009 at 3:14 pm
Elsewhere in Penn basketball news you're not covering, Jerome Allen was elected to the Big Five hall of fame. Never heard of it? Pick up Wednesday's Daily News.
January 31st, 2009 at 6:27 pm
College Buffet sounds a lot like someone I used to know.
February 3rd, 2009 at 10:20 pm
Why has this blog died?
February 3rd, 2009 at 10:29 pm
Maybe the numbers 5 and 11 have something to do with it? Just a thought.
February 6th, 2009 at 10:02 am
where the heck is Scurria? on leave?
February 12th, 2009 at 6:34 am
Mr. Becker,
Wow, I'm surprised anyone would ever notice that I had been blogging less, so thanks for that ego boost. I've been trying to devote more of my eighth and final DP semester to print-edition stories, and I think that as of Feb. 10 I'm tied for first on the staff in that category. Of course, no one reads print anymore, so maybe my strategy wasn't so hot after all!