Jaylen Brantley and the Massachusetts Minutemen got some terrible news on Tuesday — a previously undiagnosed heart condition will lead to the end of the senior’s basketball career. Fortunately, the detection of Brantley’s condition ensures that he’ll be OK and can live a healthy life. Unfortunately, that won’t involve a final season of collegiate basketball. According to the Daily Hampshire Gazette, The Minutemen will honor Brantley’s scholarship and keep him around as both a leader and a mentor off the bench.
Jaylen Brantley will miss the 2017-18 season for UMass after a previously undiagnosed heart condition was discovered
— Matt Vautour (@MattVautourDHG) October 10, 2017
Brantley was expected to fill a big role for the Minutemen at point guard this season. The former Maryland guard averaged 4.9 points and 1.9 rebounds per contests last season for the Terrapins. He also shot 46.5% from three in conference play last year. Expected to be a major contributor in his final year of eligibility, Brantley’s absence now leaves a big hole in Massachusetts’ backcourt. The Minutemen will not have to rely more heavily on C.J. Anderson, LuWane Pipkins, and incoming freshmen joining Matt McCall’s squad.
While this is terrible news for Brantley, it’s promising to know that he’ll be OK and will be able to live a happy and normal life moving forward. The Minutemen can hope he’ll provide value as a leader off the bench this year.
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