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Remember to cheer for Matt Shaw in his recovery
UNLV forward Matt Shaw walks off the court March 18 after UNLV was defeated by Northern Iowa in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010 | 2:05 a.m.
A positive test for marijuana at the NCAA Tournament in March was the best thing that could have happened to Matt Shaw.
Not Matt Shaw the UNLV basketball player. Matt Shaw the person.
Sure, being dismissed from the team Tuesday for the positive test is a fate no player wants. But it sure beats missing out on that first post-college job for not passing a drug test.
The 6-foot-8 forward/center was the Rebels' best three-point shooter. His careless act of doing drugs — and unthinkably doing them during the season — was selfish and irresponsible.
Playing college basketball is privilege he took for granted. Hundreds of Las Vegas-area children would have done anything to wear the Rebels' scarlet and gray, and Shaw ruined his chance as one of the lucky ones.
He deserves his punishment. He deserves to have his name associated with testing positive. Google the name "Matt Shaw" and guess what will come up? Today, tomorrow and 10 years from now.
But this shouldn't be the end of his life. It could, however, be the beginning.
Shaw needs to attack the dismissal with the same intensity he had when rehabbing from knee surgery during the 2008-09 season. He returned to average seven points and 2.8 rebounds per game this year, including a team-high 14 points against Northern Iowa in a first-round tournament loss.
He would have been a senior next winter, the lone holdover from the Rebels' Sweet 16 team in 2007.
Now, he gets a mulligan of sorts to get his life back on track. It a second chance that doesn't necessarily involve the game he loves, but it's a second opportunity not everyone gets following a drug-related problem.
Early indications point to Shaw accepting his fate with class. He plans on finishing his undergraduate degree this summer.
More importantly, he has taken the blame for his actions. Shaw could have pointed fingers or made excuses, but he took a step in the right direction by being classy and apologizing.
"I made a poor decision, but I take responsibility for it," he said in a statement issued by the university. "I apologize to my teammates, my coaches and the fans... I hope the fans will remember me for what I tried to give to this program and accept my apology."
Let's not forget about this young man. He violated your trust by not being loyal the program, but he is still a Rebel.
Remember to cheer for his recovery as you did his sweet stroke from three-point range.
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Good reminders, Ray. Very disappointed, however, hope he finishes his degree this summer and learns from this.
It's a step back, but in the long run, I like the idea of more minutes for Massamba, Lopez and Thomas. Rebels will miss Shaw's three-pointers, but think the other guys can be stronger in areas Shaw was not.
Good luck, Matt. U-N-L-V!!!
Oh, I missed in the last story that it was pot. That really was a stupid move.
That stinks. But it is a great lesson for kids. As a 5th grade teacher, I can use this article hand-in-hand with D.A.R.E. I have students that will take this article to heart. I hope Coach Kruger finds one of those "hundreds of Las Vegas-area children" that would "anything to wear the Rebels' scarlet and gray," to replace the spot on the roster. Go Rebs!
Dumb choice but wish you the best Matt.
Get his life back on track? The kid smokes ganja. His NCAA career may be over, but saying his life is derailed? Shaw was never going to be a NBA pro. It's ironic, but his reefer love would have fit right in at that level.
People complain about how this isn't about legalization, but it should be at the forefront. Against the rules, yes. Should it be? no.
Matt has so much talent but he's a pot head and got caught
Ray -
You have bought into the government's propaganda hook, line and sinker. You act as if Shaw's use of marijuana is some crazy, immoral act. But I bet you wouldn't give it a second thought if he had a beer instead. Perhaps this wasn't a wise move because of the potential penalties associated with using marijuana, but the problem here is marijuana prohibition and the rules related to it. You think someone's college career should end because of one positive marijuana test? If so, you are a lost cause. If not, you should be calling for new rules that don't punish students excessively for marijuana use. Marijuana use in college is commonplace -- and it is far less harmful than alcohol. Punishments should not be so severe.
Here is a statement from Dave Schwartz, campaign manager for Nevadans for Sensible Marijuana Laws:
"At the age of 22, Matt is an adult," said Dave Schwartz, NSML campaign manager. "As an adult, he made a rational decision to use a substance less harmful than alcohol. Now, for this simple act, his career with the Runnin' Rebels is over. We hope all Nevadans will stop to think about this for just one moment -- and think specifically about the fact that players who drink alcohol to excess face no punishment, at least until they assault someone. It simply makes no sense. And for those who say, 'He should have just followed the rules,' we say, 'Why do we have rules and laws that horribly punish people who choose to use marijuana instead of the more harmful substance, alcohol?' It is time for a change."
Ray, you need to get your life "back on track". You're the brainwashed one.
You talk like he is a dope fiend. Do you have any evidence to support it? That's great reporting, making wild accusations about Matt's personal life based upon a single event.
You ever had your ACL repaired? I'm sure Matt was prescribed NARCOTICS for the pain, when MJ would have been a thousand times healthier.
Read up on the lobbying of the drug industry, you might learn something. The drug laws in this country are a complete farce.
To say that use of marijuana is far less harmful than alcohol is incorrect. Abuse of any substance to excess is of course a bad thing, and leads to negative consequences. A person who has a drink or two once a day will have far fewer long term problems than a person who smokes a joint a day. The chemicals that are contained in marijuana are far worse and in higher concentrations than cigarettes, hence the reason it is illegal. He knew the rules and got caught, end of story. It does no good to compare him to students who get caught drinking alcohol. If they gave a B.A.C. breath test randomly during the season, and a result of .08 or above would cause you to be suspended for the season, players who got caught would be treated the same as Shaw is now. Until that happens this debate is useless. Now with that said, I'm all for legalization and taxation of Marijuana. Maybe we could fund education properly with that revenue.
BBallFan,
You have no clue as to what you are talking about. "The chemicals that are contained in marijuana are far worse and in higher concentrations than cigarettes, hence the reason it is illegal."
What chemicals are you talking about? There is only one organic compound found in Marijuana that produces the euphoric feeling, or high. This is called Tetrahydrocanabanol. Or THC for short. Now I will grant that the physical act of smoking the product will have some undesirable health consequences, but there are other ways to consume it like eating or vaporizing it. These are a much safer and healthier way for people to enjoy it.
Now for cigarettes, go do your own homework on how many non organic compounds and chemicals they spray on the tobacco after it has been grown, harvested, dried, and processed. Tell me these are safer than THC, and you are lying only to yourself.
And who is the largest endorser of the Federal Governments National Drug Prevention programs and policies, none other than good old Phillip Morris. If you dont know that company either, look it up, and it might give you a hint as to why tobacco is legal and MJ is not. Not because one is safer for you, the government could care less about your personal health.
How does Ray Brewer know Shaw was addicted? I read "drug related problem". The only "drug related problem" here is the NCAA's unfamiliarity with fair punishments.
If you think THC is the only chemical in Marijuana you are clueless. The problem with Marijuana is that it isn't regulated like tobacco is. I realize that tobacco products have many added carcinogens that are not naturally occuring. Its impossible to know what you are getting when you buy marijuana on the street. You don't know where it was grown, who has handled it, what other chemicals were added etc.. Not to mention that smoking it (which statistically is the most common form of use) not only builds up tar in the lungs like cigarettes, but acutally destroys the alveoli by melting them because marijuana burns much hotter than tobacco products. Oh, and the added chemicals that tobacco has, marijuana has all of those and then some.
I'm sure after you go to wikipedia and look up what alveoli are you will come up with some counter to what I have said. I'm not one for spending too much time arguing on the internet so enjoy living in your misinformed world.
Tough break MS, learn something from it.
yeah, this is a crazy "Reefer Madness" type story right out of the 1950s....it's a good thing Matt got caught before he turned the whole team Communist!
He smoked weed, so what? Have any of you ever gotten high and played basketball? It's fun, in fact, it relaxes you and makes you a better shot. Now, this might make weed a performance enhancing drug, but again, so what? Athletes should be able to juice, inhale, snort, supposite, inject, whatever they so damn please -it makes for more interesting competition.
If it had been medically prescribed it would have been okay. If he had a couple of beers not a word would have been said. Because of one indiscretion his life is in tatters. First, the laws on marijuana need to be changed and secondly, when something like this happens there should be the opportunity for young men like Shaw to have the option of not being named publicly and be allowed a private exit.
Any of us that went to college probably did a few stupid things we got lucky and got away with. Same thing extends to when we get older.
Always wish everyone well, if not because it's the right thing to do, do it because someday you'll probably need the favor returned.
Nice column Ray. Good Luck Matt, your acceptance and attitude will carry you. Complete the degree and stay on track.