Kansas State Basketball’s James Watson Will Not Return

Austin Meek, of the Topeka Capital-Journal, is reporting that James Watson will not play basketball for K-State next season. The Watson family was informed of the decision on Friday.

The university cited health concerns surrounding a heart defect that Watson was diagnosed with while playing at Washington State, as well as his sickle cell anemia. Watson was found unconscious not long into his first season at K-State, and his mother (who spoke with Meek), said that K-State officials had been very concerned about her son’s health since that point.

Scheduled to graduate in December, Watson epitomizes the term “student-athlete.”  He will most likely remain on scholarship until he graduates in December, with K-State applying for what is called a “medical exemption” from the NCAA. This would allow Watson to remain on scholarship, but not count against the Wildcats’ numbers.