The announcement made national news. It appeared in newspapers across the country. The words scrolled across ESPN's "Bottom Line."
"Ball State forward Theron Smith will miss the season with tendinitis in his left knee."
The preseason All-American may have made national headlines, but no city is more affected than Muncie.
Ball State had high hopes for Theron Smith this season. Now fans are wondering how successful this season will be. Some are even questioning Smith's loyalty to the team. Those fans need to look at the long-term scenario.
Some people don't realize there was someone else who had high hopes for Theron Smith this season: Theron Smith.
Now he will have to sit on the sidelines and watch his Cardinals play their 25-plus remaining games without him.
"I am trying to stay positive," Smith said. "This decision was a hard one because it impacts so many people."
The decision affects a lot of people, but it is the best option for everyone involved.
Head coach Tim Buckley said Smith has been playing at 65 percent for this season's first three games. While Smith can always contribute, the team would rather have Smith playing at 100 percent next season than have him playing at two-thirds of his usual ability this year.
This decision will also help Smith's future. Very few NBA teams are going to want to draft a player with a bum knee. A year off will allow Smith to recover fully and enter the NBA at full strength.
Maybe this season won't be as productive as everyone had hoped. That's okay. There's always next year.
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