STEP BACK: Marcus Derrickson Announces He’s ‘Done’ with G-League, Basketball

UPDATE 5/11: According to a post from Ron Bailey (HoyaReport/Rivals), Marcus Derrickson’s father is worried about him and hoping to speak with the 24-year-old. Based on Derrickson’s earlier explanation and his father’s pleas, there is reason to believe the head injuries he suffered may further complicate the issues. Our thoughts are with him in this very serious time of his life. We’re on Team Doc.

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FROM MAY 10:

Fans of the Georgetown Hoyas will remember a special player, and Patrick Ewing’s only GU athlete to log NBA minutes, in forward Marcus Derrickson. Derrickson posted a rather cryptic message on Instagram that did include a less-than-subtle conclusion that he is finished playing basketball.

In the Instagram post, Derrickson said:

I’m NOT sorry to ANYONE, I’m done wit BASKETBALL. PERIOD

LOVED being out there EVERY MOMENT I PLAYED but THINGS HAPPEN.. LIFE.. ✌ YALL KNOW WHAT YALL DID TO ME! EVERYONE of you IM NOT DUMB.Knowing the TRUTH and NOT HELPING IS not sitting well wit me.

Clearly, Derrickson is frustrated with the sport. After a successful two-way campaign with Golden State, Derrickson found himself signing with Atlanta and playing, most recently, with the College Park Skyhawks in the G-League.

Flying a bit under the radar were a couple transactions that may have contributed to Derrickson’s frustrations with the game. Namely, waiver by the Skyhawks in early March, right at the beginning of the COVID-19 issues halting sports.

Derrickson’s release from the Skyhawks was a bit of a surprise because, in “40 games (37 starts), the 6-foot-7 forward has averaged 13.1 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.8 assists over 27.8 minutes per contest.”

Last August, it was reported that MD signed an Exhibit 10 contract with Atlanta. An Exhibit 10 contract is only guaranteed up to $50,000 and permits the team to relegate the athlete to the G-League. The official announcement of the Hawks signing Derrickson followed later in the month and trumpeted his accomplishments in the prior season:

In 11 games last season with the Golden State Warriors, Derrickson averaged 4.2 points and 1.2 rebounds in 6.1 minutes (.485 FG%, .500 3FG%, .800 FT%). In 35 games (all starts) with the Santa Cruz Warriors of the NBA G League, he compiled 13.7 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 27.2 minutes (.467 FG%, .421 3FG%, .841 FT%).

An alleged Hornets-signing in April was simply not covered by the press, if true, and could potentially be held up by the pandemic effects. There is still a missing piece or two as to why Derrickson is stepping away from basketball.

Still, Derrickson’s stats have to give pause when considering a retirement at age 24. Somebody should want his pick-and-pop game on their team.

While Georgetown fans all certainly hope that Derrickson gives it another go, basketball needs to get going first. MD has a dozen game-winners and big shots that no Hoyas fan can forget, his interaction with Coach Ewing during his junior season—and his ensuing development of his fade-away—may always be his calling card.

Best of luck, MD. We’re rooting for you.

UPDATE 2PM 5/10: Derrickson posted about his new daughter, her mother, and an altercation with a roommate that simultaneously clarifies and further complicates an understanding of his current position. We wish him the best of luck.