KAEO: Preston Santos

[Juice Stand]

^ No kidding. These situations always baffle me. We're talking about a college kid that left for personal reasons. It could be a mental health situation, it could be that he opted not to play during a pandemic for health reasons, it could be any number of things that are personal and none of anyone's business. He's not with the team right now, and I wish him the best whatever happens in the future.

[Floyd]

Yup, nobody's business but his. I like the kid, so wherever he ends up, I'll root for him. Hope he comes back, but if not, I wish him good luck whatever he does

[LS71]

^ Agreed.


I understand fans' interest in wanting to know what's happening with Preston. That said, it's none of our business. He took a leave of absence for personal reasons.

[natwam2547]

McCall was quoted as saying that Preston is dealing with "what we are all dealing with". Which I personally, interpreted as COVID-related. Whether that's him personally having it, a family member having it, being mentally drained from everything that comes along with the topic, or just thinking about opting out of the season because of it. Maybe we'll never know. There is a hole on this team without him though. Either way, he needs to do what is best for him, regardless.

[MikeUMA]

He said in late November "when my mind is fully right". Presenting that without comment.

Regardless of whether he hoops for us again or not, I wish him the best.

[UMassfan_19]

Fwiw he shared the Fordham highlights on his insta story and it isn’t the first time he shared his teammates or other Umass basketball related stuff which points to me that he is still interested in the program

[Juice Stand]

At this point, I've ruled him out as being a potential contributor for the team this year. It's January 19th and he isn't with the team. If he were to come back today, it would take him a while to get up to game speed in practice and find a spot in the rotation (assuming TJ and Dibaji are healthy, and Cairo comes back soon). I hope that he's doing well at home, and hopefully we see him back next year, but if not I'll root for him wherever he ends up.

[MikeUMA]

Technically the first day of our Spring semester is Feb 1, so he could still preserve half a season of eligibility, but yeah, the more we don't hear the more this season is a write-off.

[UMassfan_19]

Technically the first day of our Spring semester is Feb 1, so he could still preserve half a season of eligibility, but yeah, the more we don't hear the more this season is a write-off.

Eligibility doesn’t matter this season

[Old Cage]

^ The point may be that he is not in the UMass people finder, so I am guessing that he can't practice/play until 2/1 because he is not enrolled.

[jrdupe]

^ The point may be that he is not in the UMass people finder, so I am guessing that he can't practice/play until 2/1 because he is not enrolled.

it's 2/2 - any Preston sightings?

[InnervisionsUMASS]

^ The point may be that he is not in the UMass people finder, so I am guessing that he can't practice/play until 2/1 because he is not enrolled.

it's 2/2 - any Preston sightings?

He's in the People Finder as of 8:51am EST on 2/2/2021.

[69MG]

^ If he's enrolled and back at school I'm happy for him whether or not he plays BB this year.

[UMassfan_19]

^ The point may be that he is not in the UMass people finder, so I am guessing that he can't practice/play until 2/1 because he is not enrolled.

it's 2/2 - any Preston sightings?

He's in the People Finder as of 8:51am EST on 2/2/2021.

McCall said he finished the fall semester at home earlier in the year

[Floyd]

^ If he's enrolled and back at school I'm happy for him whether or not he plays BB this year.

I agree. School & hoop is tough enough, let alone during a pandemic. Got to give all these kids a shitload of credit for dealing with this, and they gotta do whats best for them. Love to see Preston back, but if he sits out this year, will be happy to see him back next season