Tack Minor said he is “not a bad person” and does not regret his University experience after an announcement Wednesday that the junior guard is no longer a Tiger.
The University stated in a press release that Minor was no longer enrolled as a student or a member of the men’s basketball team. Minor spoke to The Daily Reveille Thursday afternoon amid rumors he committed an academic violation similar to a fall 2005 Code of Student Conduct violation that resulted in a suspension.
“I didn’t mean for it to go like this,” Minor said. “I don’t have anything against the University. I love LSU.”
Minor said it was his decision to leave the University despite reports he was facing expulsion.
“I’m not a bad person,” Minor said. “The only trouble I had was with these incidents.”
Minor declined to characterize the “incidents” he mentioned.
“I know what I did,” Minor said. “It would have been different if I had gotten a DUI or gotten arrested.”
Minor said he will leave Baton Rouge today and return to his hometown of Houston. Minor said his godfather John Lucas, a former NBA player and coach, will serve as his trainer as he prepares for the NBA.
Minor said he will visit Houston Baptist University on Monday to discuss possibly enrolling and joining the men’s basketball team. He has 16 hours remaining to complete his general studies degree.
HBU competes in the Red River Athletic Conference in Division I of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletes.
HBU coach Ron Cottrell said he has not spoken with Minor and did not know he planned to visit the university.
“That’s the first I’ve heard of something like that,” Cottrell said.
Minor said he is unconcerned with campus rumors about his sudden departure.
“That’s life,” he said. “You have haters everywhere. They [aren’t] about to pay me. I’m trying to get to the NBA.”
Minor said his teammates and LSU coach John Brady “understand” why he decided to leave.
“That’s my team,” he said. “That’s still going to be my team.”
Sophomore guard Ben Voogd said Minor’s departure will likely increase his own playing time.
“I’ve got to be willing and able to step up and make a contribution to this team,” he said.
Voogd said he thinks Minor could be a successful NBA player “one day” if he trains diligently.
“He just has to continue to stick with it,” Voogd said. “I hope things will turn around for him.”
Minor said he plans to “pursue his dreams” and move on from his LSU experience.
“When I hear that people are talking about me, it boosts my confidence,” he said. “I just take it in stride.”
In his career Minor started 34 of the 78 games he played and averaged 7.7 points per game.
—–Contact Amy Brittain at [email protected]