Zags Offseason Chatter
GU has a high profile transfer, Micah Downs, who will be playing for the Zags in late December after he completes the fall semester. Downs comes with some question marks and rumors of not being a great team player or a good fit for the program. He also comes from a family that is interesting to say the least. I’m not sure of the specifics, but it’s really too bad when these kids families are not more supportive. Check this out, from the Lawrence Kansas Journal World:
“I want you guys to know Bill Self and his staff did everything they could to encourage Micah and to help him,” Steven Downs said. “It wasn’t Bill’s fault that Micah left. Personally, I wish my son would have stayed. The Jayhawks have the best program in the country, bar none. I’ve got another son, Steven Jr., who’s a sophomore at Rainier Beach (Wash.), and that’s where I want him to play. I’m still heartbroken Micah’s not playing for the Jayhawks anymore…. It wasn’t Bill at all. It was Micah’s own fault, man. You can’t blame the coach or the staff.”
Makes me thankful that I have parents that give me guidance when I ask for it and support my decisions regardless.
Welcome to GU Micah, I think you’ll like it here. The community will be a great source of both support and encouragement for you.
Hello Sean,
A very nice article on Micah Downs welcome to GU! I appreciate your comment regarding being thankful that you have parents who give you guidance & support regardless of your decisions. Unfortunately, Micah does not have encouraging or supportive parents to say the least. I am Micah’s great aunt. His father Steven Downs is my nephew. Micah has his goals in basketball and I know from the horse’s mouth (sorry Micah didn’t mean to call you a horse) that he is putting every effort, strength, and determination from within himself to be the best that he can be at GU. He is a responsible, intelligent, and caring human being who has his head on straight! Micah will never have communication with his parents until they change their abusive behavior towards him. Micah has a great support system from me, other aunts & uncles, grandmother & step-grandfather, and numerous cousins. Steven is just spewing off steam because Micah chooses to remove himself from his dysfunctional parents. Steven’s furious because he no longer has control over Micah and is no longer in Micah’s life. Micah confronted his mother recently when Micah was in Seattle regarding his dad Steven telephoning the Lawrence KS newspaper.with nonsense & false information. Micah did not receive a positive nor a warm response, just a lot of negative & verbal abusive yelling in the background from his dad Steven Downs. Apart from his parents & siblings, the family gathered together for a bar bq in honor of Micah & Natanya’s presence. Micah keeps his faith in God and his eye on the ball regardless of cruel remarks from his parents and siblings. I wonder who Steven Downs will contact next after Keegan? The family drama will continue as long as Micah’s parents refuse to seek family counseling/therapy to stop the cycle of domestic family abuse. Thank you for printing the facts and keeping life positive!! Victoria Roy