Isby announces he is done at USU
After a questionable exit from team activities last week, Utah State guard DeAngelo Isby announced on Twitter today that he is not returning to the team next season for his senior year.
“I want to thank God for blessing me with this opportunity to play basketball (prayer emoji),” Isby wrote. “I want to thank the coaching staff for giving me the chance to play here at Utah state. I want to thank my teammates and the fans you have been amazing. I appreciate everyone who has supported me throughout this year. With all that being said i have requested my release from Utah state and will not be returning. #ThankYou #AggieNation”
Drama found its way into the Aggie basketball team when Isby withdrew from team activities the day prior to what would be the Aggies’ final game of the 2017-18 season, facing New Mexico. The backup junior had seen his minutes get cut gradually over the course of the season as playing time was extensively piled on to the starting lineup.
Isby played 14 minutes in the Aggies’ February loss to Air Force and then did not play during the subsequent loss to San Jose State. In the Mountain West Conference Tournament last week, Isby logged a single minute of playing time against Colorado State in the first round, and it was the last time he would take the court for USU.
“I didn’t quit on my teammates,” Isby said. “I love these guys. It was more so things not in my power. I’m grateful to have played here and to learn and grow mentally here.”
Isby’s described his relationship with then-head coach Tim Duryea as “strictly a player and a coach! Duryea is a good man, and I appreciate everything he has done, but our relationship could have been way better. But things happen and doesn’t always work out.”
As far as the future is concerned, Isby is “keeping all options open right now.”
“Whatever I feel like is the best option for me,” Isby said. “Where that’s me staying D1 and sitting out a year, D2 playing right away, both allow me to graduate and get my degree which is great.”
Isby is even considering taking an early shot at going pro. “Going pro has always been something I’ve talked about and kept in mind,” Isby said. “I think I will attempt to but won’t sign a agent to keep all my options open.”
Isby primarily came off the bench for the Aggies last season and averaged 8.4 points and 2.9 rebounds per game. He was a key piece of the USU offense in the early part of the season and led the Aggies in scoring four times, with a season-high of 26 against Youngstown State.
A native of Chicago, Isby played two years of junior college ball, averaging 16.3 points per game as a sophomore before transferring to Utah State for the 2017-18 season.
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