University of Massachusets Athletics
Briggs Returns To UMass
January 10, 2003 | Men's Basketball
Jan. 10, 2003
AMHERST, Mass. -- University of Massachusetts men's basketball coach Steve Lappas has reinstated freshman forward Stephen Briggs (Houston, Texas) to the Minuteman program, effective Jan. 17, 2003.
Briggs, who was dismissed from the team for a violation of team rules by Lappas Oct. 11, will practice with the Minutemen when he returns to campus and will have four years of eligibility to use beginning next year.
"This has been a very difficult situation for everyone involved," Lappas said. "Kids sometimes make mistakes, and Stephen has paid a pretty big price for his. In continuing to review and evaluate the situation since our initial decision, and in talking with Stephen and his family, I just believed it was best to give Stephen another opportunity.
"He'll practice with the team for the rest of the year, hit the books, and then have four years of eligibility beginning next year, provided he takes care of his school work," he added.
The 6-9, 212-pound Briggs averaged 18 points and 11 rebounds as a senior at Houston's Westside High School. The school's team captain and MVP a year ago, Briggs helped Westside to the 2002 district championship, and earned All-State, All-District and Regional All-Star recognition.
One of four players to sign with UMass during the 2001 early-signing period, he selected Massachusetts over Georgia Tech, Wake Forest and Texas.