BREAKING NEWS: West Virginia Mountaineers Player Tucker DeVries Threatens to Leave If Nothing is Done About Current Issues
MORGANTOWN, WV — November 17, 2024 – West Virginia Mountaineers basketball player Tucker DeVries has issued a public statement threatening to leave the program unless immediate changes are made in response to a series of unresolved issues within the team and the athletic department. The 6’7” forward, a key player for the Mountaineers, has expressed dissatisfaction with a variety of factors, including the team’s conditioning regimen, coaching strategies, and lack of adequate support for student-athletes.
DeVries, a sophomore standout who transferred to West Virginia from Drake University last season, spoke out during a live interview with local sports media. “I’m committed to the Mountaineer program and to my teammates, but right now, there are issues that can’t be ignored any longer,” DeVries said. “If these problems aren’t addressed in a timely and meaningful way, I’ll have no choice but to look elsewhere. My future, and my well-being, are on the line.”
Unresolved Issues in Focus
The laundry list of concerns raised by DeVries is both extensive and deeply personal. Sources close to the Mountaineers program have confirmed that DeVries’s comments have caught the attention of the coaching staff and athletic administration, who are now scrambling to address the matter.
One of the primary concerns raised by DeVries is the team’s lack of adequate physical conditioning. According to the player, training sessions have been poorly structured and fail to prepare the players for the intensity of competitive play. “We’re not being pushed hard enough in practice to be competitive at the highest level. The strength and conditioning programs are outdated, and we’re falling behind teams that are taking a more modern, science-based approach to training.”
Another issue DeVries highlighted is the perceived lack of effective communication and strategy from the coaching staff. While Head Coach Bob Huggins has long been a fixture of the Mountaineers program, DeVries described the coaching staff as “out of touch” with the needs of the players, particularly when it comes to in-game decision-making. “We need better strategies in place, especially when things go wrong during a game. There’s too much sitting on the sideline and hoping the players figure it out themselves.”
DeVries also emphasized the need for improved mental health and academic support services for student-athletes, especially those who are balancing the demands of high-level sports with academics. “The pressure is insane. On top of basketball, there are expectations for us to perform academically, and while I understand that’s part of being a student-athlete, there has to be a better system in place to help us cope with everything,” he said.
DeVries’s Impact on the Program
DeVries’s decision to speak out is a significant moment for the Mountaineers, who are currently in the midst of a challenging season. The team, which has historically been a contender in the Big 12 Conference, is struggling with chemistry issues and inconsistent play on the court. DeVries has been one of the few bright spots for the team, averaging 14.8 points and 7.2 rebounds per game, and is widely regarded as one of the most talented players on the roster.
His threat to leave comes at a time when West Virginia is already dealing with a wave of uncertainty surrounding its athletic programs. Rumors of potential coaching changes, coupled with fluctuating recruitment numbers, have created a sense of instability within the department.
West Virginia Athletic Director Shane Lyons has yet to publicly comment on DeVries’s statement. However, sources within the athletic department have confirmed that a meeting between the player and university officials is scheduled for later this week. It is unclear what, if any, changes will be made in response to DeVries’s demands, but insiders suggest that there is a growing sense of urgency to resolve the issues quickly in order to retain the star player.
Player Power in College Sports
DeVries’s actions come at a time of increasing player empowerment in college athletics. With the advent of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals and the growing influence of the Transfer Portal, student-athletes now have more power than ever before to dictate their futures. This shift has led to a change in how athletic programs handle internal matters, as players like DeVries recognize that their personal and professional well-being can no longer be sacrificed for the sake of tradition or institutional inertia.
For now, all eyes are on Morgantown, where the Mountaineers will face a critical crossroads in both their athletic and administrative futures. The next few days will be crucial in determining whether Tucker DeVries remains with the team or moves on to another program that can better meet his needs — both on and off the court.
Stay tuned for further updates.
