ASU’s Trent Lockett and Herb Sendek release a statement

The following statement can be found on thesundevils.com.

SUN DEVIL Trent Lockett:

“As most of you have heard the past few days have been a
very difficult time for my family and I. Arizona State has
been a great place for me to mature as both a person and a
player and earn my college degree. Everyone at the
University has been wonderful to me and I have told many
people thank you already for their help. I want to say
thanks to a great coaching staff and to all those
associated with the program as they are helping me through
a very difficult time.

With the recent news of my mother’s illness, I want to be
honest with everyone and say that it is in my best
interest to possibly pursue playing my final season closer
to home. At this time, my energy and focus needs to start
now on being as close to my mom as I can while at the same
time pursuing career goals with one year of college
basketball remaining. However, that does not mean I have
closed the door on returning next season to ASU. It only
means I have to prepare.

Coach Sendek and his staff did a great job in recruiting
me and coaching me, and this past season was difficult on
all of us. Being out a month because of an injury was very
hard. This past week has been even harder. I am
appreciative of everyone who is supporting me at this
time. At this time I think it is important for my family
and I to invest everything we have in making sure the next
step for us is the best one. I thank everyone for their
understanding as we begin the process. The support of the
Arizona State community is what is helping us right now.”

SUN DEVIL HEAD COACH Herb Sendek:

“We are giving Trent and his family all of our support at
this time. At the present moment, the focus is making sure
he and his family know that Arizona State is here to help
him. Trent is a wonderful young man who has been an
outstanding ambassador for our university and basketball
program and has established himself as one of the best
players that I have ever coached.

The main reason we’ve had student-athletes transfer out of
our program is a combination of expectations around
playing time and holding them accountable for their
actions. It is important that we maintain certain
standards and expectations and not lower them. Ideally, we
want everybody to stay and graduate. But in some instances
it’s better for them not to stay. The Trent Lockett
situation is completely separate from the other transfers
because he has a deeply personal issue and we are
supportive of him. Our top concern right now is for Trent
and his family.

During this past season, I have done a deep introspective
look at our program under my leadership. I take ownership
of the past two seasons and understand where and who we
need to recruit. I understand all Sun Devils want an
exciting team of young men on the floor that compete with
passion and character each game. I am confident we have
that group of young men assembled to play at ASU that can
compete for a Pac-12 Championship in the near future.”

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