Pit forward John Hagley IV said he will miss the remainder of the 2022-23 season, citing mental health issues and his recovery from a lingering pre-season injury.
In a letter posted to his Twitter account on Saturday, Hagley said he came to the decision after much thought and consultation with his family and others.
“While I only want to be on the court with my teammates, injuries and mental health are our priorities, so after long discussions and discussions with our coaches, families and mentors, we have determined the best course of action. I will spend the rest of the season dedicating myself to recovering mentally and physically,” he wrote.
PLEASE RESPECT MY DECISION!!!!???? pic.twitter.com/eYJJ6C2m88
— John Hagley IV (@thejohnhugley) January 14, 2023
Panthers head coach Jeff Capel said the team is behind him.
“We are here to support John as he continues to learn how to handle the challenges of his personal life,” Capel said in a news release. This next step will give him the time and space to focus on his personal growth, and we are grateful to him on this journey. We are here to give you love and support.
Hagley, a 6-foot-9-inch third-grader from Cleveland, will be looking for a medical red shirt, according to the school.
Hagley was named an All-ACC Honorable Mention in 2022 and has appeared in eight games this season, averaging 8.0 points and 3.6 rebounds in 18.3 minutes per game.
Last season he scored in double figures 23 times and had nine double-doubles. He averaged 14.8 points and 7.9 rebounds per game.
The Panthers (11-6, 4-2 ACC) play Saturday at Georgia Tech.
– Field level media
