Feb. 28, 2006

Head Coach Jay Wright

On the timing of the decision: My original plan was to allow Curtis to come back and practice so that he could see how he feels and make a decision on a game-by-game basis what he wanted to do. This whole thing has become such a distraction to our team, though, and there have been some national reports that I don't know where they are getting information from. My goal was to be forthcoming and make sure we come out and tell the truth about what the decision is.

I have pushed the decision a little more recently. Curtis has been very motivated to come back and has been doing a great job in rehab. I didn't want to take that incentive away from him. I was concerned about a couple of reports that made it look like he was giving statements and then not living up to them. I wanted to talk to him and say that it might be time to think about making a decision.

On the decision-making process: The distraction of this whole think sped up the process of us announcing a decision. I talked to Curtis about making his decision a little bit earlier than we might have. I had wanted it to be possible for this situation to be an athlete coming back and trying himself out to see how he feels day by day, until one game we can ask, `How do you feel today?' and go from there. We realize that it's just not going to work that way. I talked with Curtis over and over and tried to stress that he should make decision just based on how he feels and what he wants to do.

On the decision: Curtis has reached a decision to sit out the remainder of this year and take a medical redshirt. Next year he will be able to come back and play. He can practice with us and, as he continues to get stronger, will help us during practices. We talked at length yesterday and wanted him to think about it. Then we talked again this morning and when we knew this was definite we sent out the release.

On the distraction of Sumpter's injury to the team: Every TV game we had to think about where Curtis was sitting so he could be interviewed. The distraction is that I was always worried about answering questions honestly, because the answers could be taken and statements could be made about deadlines and decisions that just weren't true. I was worried about Curt's reputation; I didn't want it to look like he was saying things and then not following them. He's just a young student-athlete trying to get through an injury. He was able to make this decision, and the team playing well helped him do that.

On Sumpter's rehabilitation: Curtis was so determined to work hard and get back and I never wanted to take that motivation away from him. He and [athletic trainer] Jeff Pierce did really well getting him back to this point. I wanted the decision to be about him and how he felt, and at this point I think we were able to do that.

On his advice to Sumpter: I wanted to look out for what is best for Curtis. The unique thing about being a college coach is that, although the program is important, it is really each individual that is important. They are here preparing for life and for pro careers, and that's what we are responsible for. I wanted him to look at the decision in that way. For a while he just wanted to get back and play with these guys, but I felt that once he looked at the decision that this was the choice he would come to.

On the difficulty of advising Sumpter in a certain way: It wasn't difficult to play the other side when I needed to. I would have been really upset if the worst case scenario happened and as an adult I hadn't given him the other side of things. If he came back and we lost the first game in the Big East Tournament and the first game in the NCAA Tournament, he would have wasted a whole year for two games. I wouldn't have wanted that. Curtis was working so hard in rehab and was so hungry; I didn't want to take that away from him.

On Villanova's season: You could argue that Villanova has a chance to have a great year, so maybe Curtis should come back and play because you don't know if you'll have a chance like this again. That could especially be true because Curtis would do anything. He would come off the bench or be the seventh or eighth man if it meant he could play. But I think the way the decision is made is a win-win situation for us, even though I understand that some people could argue the other way.

On Sumpter helping the team this season: It is going to help us pretty soon to have Curtis come back and practice. It is guys like him that give us trouble because he's a touch matchup. That's why it's great to have him on your side. Once he gets back into practicing that is going to help us.

Curtis Sumpter

On making a decision: I thought about it a lot and I have been going over everything for a while. Last night I came to the conclusion that this is what I am going to do. I talked to my parents and talked to Coach Wright, and I told him this morning that I was sure that this was the decision I wanted to make.

The team is doing well and I feel comfortable with the way things are. I feel stronger each day but I think this was the right time to make the decision.

On having to talk about his injury throughout the season: It was fun in a way to be the center of attention, but at the same time this isn't the type of attention you want. I would rather have you see me out on the court and say that I am doing well. The situation just got to be a little too much and I wasn't sure what I was going to do. There was some pressure on me because I knew everyone was waiting. I'm glad that it's over and I can make the decision and now go out and help the team as best I can.

On being able to help the team this season: I think it will be a lot easier to be out there with my teammates on the court than talking to them on the sidelines. Now I can go out there and perform, and show them some of the things I see sometimes from the sidelines. I know some of the things that Coach really wants and now I can show the guys.

On his mindset during the season: I focused on staying as strong as I can so that I could give myself a chance to make a decision. I am getting stronger every day and now I just want to help my classmates and the team. The team is going well and I am comfortable with that. Now I will be able to help them next year too.