Statement from Marcus Spears on his status with the LSU basketball program:
“I came to LSU with the intention of playing two sports – football and basketball. However, after going through a 13-game football schedule I feel that I need some time to rest and recover. As a result I will not play basketball at LSU this season.
“Coach Brady and the LSU basketball team have been very good to me and I wish them a great deal of success.
“I feel that my future is as a football player at LSU. My experience this past year has made me realize this. I’m looking forward to getting into the off-season football strength and conditioning program and developing further as a football player.”
Statement from LSU basketball coach John Brady on Marcus Spears:
“Marcus came out for a couple of days. I think he’s decided that with all that he experienced and went through in football, and then the work load on top of that for basketball, it may just be a little too much of a body to ask.
“I talked to his father a long time yesterday (Thursday) and I talked to Coach Saban. I talked to Marcus’ father again today and I just think he’s decided not to pursue basketball. Marcus is a fine young man. That was on the front end, we talked about him playing basketball. After being out here two or three days, it’s just a lot to ask.
“Had the success not happened in football as it did, maybe it would have been different. He would have had more time to get himself ready to play. I’m glad we had the success in football. I hope we keep having the success in football. We said if he wants to try it again next year, he is more than welcome to do it again. Right now he is kind of worn out. I understand and I’m supportive. He’s a fine young man, his dad’s been great. Coach Saban and I did what we said we would do and (Marcus) has chosen not to play.”