NASHVILLE, Tenn. – – Belmont University men’s basketball senior Mack Mercer (Plymouth, Ind.) has withdrawn from the team for health reasons, head coach Rick Byrd confirmed Monday.
One of the most skilled big men ever to play for Byrd, Mercer played in 81 career games and was part of three consecutive Ohio Valley Conference championship teams.
“Our team supports Mack in the decision he has made,” Byrd said. “We all wanted nothing more than for Mack to be able to play basketball with a clean bill of health. While this is not the outcome any of us would have hoped for, we will continue to encourage Mack in his educational and professional pursuits.”
Mercer posted 17 career double-figure scoring games, including five against Morehead State. The 6-9 forward scored three consecutive baskets in the second half of Belmont’s 2015 NCAA Tournament near-upset of second-seeded Virginia and a season-high 19 points vs. Green Bay last December.
However, Mercer’s promising career was largely derailed by injury; most recently back and hip conditions inhibited him from playing.
Mercer is on pace to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in political science.
