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Former Louisville guard Kevin Ware looking for ‘fresh start’ at Georgia State

Kevin Ware

Louisville’s Kevin Ware speaks with reporters during NCAA college basketball media day, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2013, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley)

AP

In the aftermath of the broken leg he suffered in Louisville’s win over Duke in the 2013 Elite Eight, guard Kevin Ware became a very popular figure. While the injury itself brought about sympathy and well wishes from people in all walks of life, his road to recovery motivated many as well. For some the increased attention would be more than welcome, but for Ware it eventually became suffocating due to the focus on his injury.

In a story written by Adam Himmelsbach of the Louisville Courier-Journal, Ware discussed this while also touching on just how hard it was to leave Louisville. Ware will be moving on to Georgia State, where he’ll be closer to his family while just as importantly getting a fresh start.

And with this move the hope is that Ware will be known primarily for his on-court production and not the injury that ended his sophomore season.

Ware gradually stopped attending practices and games. He said he met with coach Rick Pitino sometime in January, and they agreed then that it would be best for him to continue his career elsewhere. Ware said the decision remained under wraps until season’s end because the team did not need a distraction. He added that the perception that he and Pitino had a rocky relationship is inaccurate, saying that Pitino has “probably been the most helpful out of anybody.”

“I just feel like me leaving is a fresh start,” Ware said. “I know a lot of people think of me and think of the leg. But, I mean, I play basketball. I don’t want to be known as a guy who just played for Louisville and got hurt.”


Ware will be joining a program that fell one win short of reaching the NCAA tournament last season, and with guards R.J. Hunter and Ryan Harrow returning the hope for head coach Ron Hunter’s squad is that they can take the next step and win the Sun Belt’s automatic bid.

With regards to Ware’s status the expectation is that he’ll apply for an immediate eligibility waiver since the plan at Louisville was for him to redshirt in 2013-14. And regardless of when he’s allowed to take the floor for the Panthers, the new beginning of sorts will provide Ware with the opportunity to make sure the lasting impression of him comes from how he plays the game.

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