Dez Willingham to graduate this summer, leave team

[PonyPride]

Guard Dez Willingham, has decided to leave the men's basketball team. Willingham, who had one season of eligibility remaining, is graduating from SMU in August and will pursue his career in education.

"While it is always tough when someone decides to leave, I am excited for Dez and the opportunities in front of him," SMU head coach Matt Doherty said in a statement released through the SMU athletic department. "Dez has done everything that we have asked of him here at SMU. I wish him good luck in all of his future endeavors and thank him for his time and efforts."

"I have enjoyed my time at SMU and appreciate the opportunity to be a Mustang," Willingham said. "I am graduating at the end of the summer and want to pursue a career in education. I want to thank Coach Doherty, my teammates and the entire SMU basketball family for their support and friendship. I will always be a Mustang, and I am excited about my future and the future of SMU basketball."

[jtstang]

That's too bad. He was a better ball handler than Killen in my opinion.

[PonyLove]

Bummer...Thanks, Dez, for that last second shot against TCU....

[jkflamebo]

he definitely was a better handler and passer than killen, he'll be missed. u think doherty knew of this previously or what? dez was pretty good the last few games.

[ponydawg]

Ouch......we needed him next year.

Guess that opens another ship, any left worth spending a scholarship on?

[PonySnob]

Hard to say that Dez ever lived up to the billing that Tubbs put on him.......another in a long line of DISD basketball players that never lived up to the hype on the Hilltop.

[George S. Patton]

I think this really opens it up for Mike Walker to be the point guard next year. I really like this kid.

As for Dez, the game-winner against TCU was a great moment. But the best thing to come from this is that he's GRADUATING and ready to move on in his life. Showing people that SMU degree is something he will always cherish.

Congratulations, Dez. Best of luck wherever your travels take you.

[Peruna_Ate_My_Rolex]

Hard to say that Dez ever lived up to the billing that Tubbs put on him.......another in a long line of DISD basketball players that never lived up to the hype on the Hilltop.

Actually, he graduated from DeSoto.

[PK]

Hard to say that Dez ever lived up to the billing that Tubbs put on him.......another in a long line of DISD basketball players that never lived up to the hype on the Hilltop.

Actually, he graduated from DeSoto.

Don't confuse PonySnot with facts.

[PonySnob]

Hard to say that Dez ever lived up to the billing that Tubbs put on him.......another in a long line of DISD basketball players that never lived up to the hype on the Hilltop.

Actually, he graduated from DeSoto.

Don't confuse PonySnot with facts.

My mistake....change it to Dallas area players.......

[PonySnob]

Hard to say that Dez ever lived up to the billing that Tubbs put on him.......another in a long line of Dallas area basketball players that never lived up to the hype on the Hilltop.

[RGV Pony]

I wonder if Coach Doh already has someone lined up, or if one of the newcomers is THAT good that coach let Dez know he probably wouldn't have that much p.t. this year. If Dez truly has a burning to do something in education, he could've stayed another year on SMU's dime and been well on his way to a graduate degree, translating to more $ and more opportunity early for Dez. Opportunities like that which are FREE, as Kenny Chesney says, don't happen twice.

[DallasDiehard]

Hard to say that Dez ever lived up to the billing that Tubbs put on him.......another in a long line of DISD basketball players that never lived up to the hype on the Hilltop.

Really? You wouldn't take another Bryan Hopkins, Quinton Ross, Willie Davis or Jeryl Sasser?
Your "we suck" act is tiresome and sad.
You claim to be a fan. Act like one once in a while.

THANK YOU, Dez. You worked hard, played yard, carried yourself with class and gave us reason to cheer. I wish you well at whatever school you find that let's you get that education master's degree, and in your career thereafter.

[George S. Patton]

According to the story in the DMN, he's actually going to transfer to another school and use his final year of eligibility somewhere else. He is going to pursue his graduate degree in education somewhere else since we don't offer that.

But good for him. Remember, he was in Doherty's dog house early in the year but they appeared to repair their relationship.

[PonySnob]

Really? You wouldn't take another Bryan Hopkins, Quinton Ross, Willie Davis or Jeryl Sasser?

How many NCAA tournament banners did we hang while those guys were at SMU? Other than the "Q", not sure I would take any of those other guys again......as BHop, Davis or Sasser did not live up to the hype that surrounded them. Perhaps that was due primarily to the coach that we had at the time.......