Iowa State senior Caleb Grill was launched from the staff on Wednesday, lower than per week earlier than the Big 12 event was set to kick off, for failing to “meet the program’s expectations,” the Cyclones introduced.
It’s unclear what particularly led to Grill’s removing from the staff.
“We hold our players to high standards and there are expectations that our student-athletes are held accountable for,” coach T.J. Otzelberger stated in a quick assertion, via CycloneFanatic’s Chris Williams.
Grill averaged 9.5 factors and 4 rebounds in 25 video games this season. He put up 31 factors within the Cyclones’ win over then-No. 1 North Carolina in November, and has shot simply shy of 40% from the sphere. He shot a team-best 38.8% from behind the arc. The Kansas native has missed three video games with a again harm this season.
Grill posted a prolonged assertion on Twitter afterward Wednesday afternoon. After thanking followers, teammates and coaches, Grill revealed his struggles with psychological well being.
“One day when I am brave enough, I hope to be able to share my story about my mental health and my mental illness I have been battling through all season,” he wrote, partly.
“While everyone was commenting about the hair, or the funny actions on teh court, it was a way for me to get out of that state of mind and feel like me being myself instead of the dark place I have been in this season. If it was not for the love and support from family network back home … I am not sure I would be alive and I would have made a decision that would have affected so many people’s lives.”
Grill’s dismissal is shocking each because of the truth that the season is nearly over and that he has an extended historical past with Otzelberger. Grill first dedicated to play for Otzelberger at South Dakota State when he was nonetheless in highschool. He then transferred to UNLV, and again to Iowa State when Otzelberger was employed earlier than the 2021-22 season.
Grill’s removing comes at a really turbulent stretch for the Cyclones. They’ve misplaced 4 straight and have dropped 10 of their final 14. After reaching as excessive as No. 11 within the Associated Press rankings, they fell out utterly this week and now sit at sixth within the Big 12 convention standings.
Iowa State will tackle No. 7 Baylor on Saturday in its remaining recreation of the common season. The Cyclones, regardless of their current struggles, are nonetheless broadly anticipated to make the NCAA event.
