Ohio State Freshman DJ Carton Releases Statement on Mental Health After Leaving Team
By Adam Weinrib
Just because we're only positive he's missing one game does not mean that's the end of the story.
With the Ohio State Buckeyes basketball team reeling following a start to the season on both offense and defense that had many pegging them for a deep tournament run, they've just been hit with another dose of bad news.
Freshman DJ Carton will miss Saturday's game for mysterious reasons, and it seems the absence will last much longer.
Ohio State freshman D.J Carton will miss Saturday's game against Indiana for personal reasons, per release. No timetable for return.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) January 31, 2020
What little information we have currently makes this seem like a very serious situation. Coach Holtmann asked for privacy for Carton's family in his official statement regarding the freshman's prognosis.
DJ Carton will be "taking some time away to deal with personal matters" and won't play for Ohio State on Saturday.
— Colin Hass-Hill (@chasshill) January 31, 2020
Here's the official release from Ohio State. pic.twitter.com/wwAuoiENKV
Carton released a statement shortly thereafter, and it's incredibly brave.
Love my team and Ohio❤️ pic.twitter.com/Sjb3C9sZbJ
— DJ Carton (@DJCarton) January 31, 2020
No matter the situation, mental health comes first. It's a constant struggle, and if Carton needs to step away to get himself right, his teammates will certainly respect the decision.
Carton's been a mainstay in the OSU backcourt all year long, averaging 10.4 points and 3.0 assists in 28 minutes per game in his first year of collegiate ball.
What was once a 9-0 record and top-five ranking has turned swiftly to disaster for the Bucks, and what little chance they have of salvaging this campaign will involve plenty of battling through adversity, without their former 5-star in Carton.