Earlier this week, UConn center Enosch Wolf announced that he would not return to Storrs for his senior season — opting instead to sign a professional contract in his native Germany.
The decision comes several weeks after a UConn disciplinary board ruled that Wolf was welcome to return to the basketball team, but would not be granted a scholarship. Wolf had been suspended for the end of UConn’s 2012-2013 season following an on-campus arrest after a domestic dispute with his then-girlfriend.
Wolf granted A Dime Back an exclusive interview in which he discusses he decision to remain in Germany and his time at UConn. Here are the highlights.
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A Dime Back: First things first, can you tell me how you came to your decision not to return to UConn?
Enosch Wolf: It is actually pretty simple, I didnt have a choice. I would have loved to play another year for UConn, especially with the team that’s there right now, but approximately $50.000 was just too much money. I couldnt afford it, and taking a loan was something that was to risky for me and my family.
ADB: Did you talk to Coach Ollie before making your decision? Did he try to convince you to stay?
Wolf: I talked to him a lot prior to going back home. At that point it was up to me and my family to decide what was best for me. He said he would love for me to come back and that I would have a spot on the team. I just simply couldn’t afford it.
ADB: Was there an appeal process you could’ve gone through with the university? And is that something you considered?
Wolf: I tried everything I could have done to stay.
ADB: Do you hold any hard feelings about the way everything went down?
Wolf: No, not at all. At the end of the day it’s a business and I understand the decisions. Do I like them? No! But I understand. No hard feelings and you bet I’ll be cheering for the squad and coaches in front of my TV in the middle of the night over here!
ADB: How do you feel you’ve bettered yourself since the arrest?
Wolf: Coach Ollie said that sometimes lives throws challenges at you for a reason. I made a mistake, I take full responsibility and I learned from it. There won’t be any more mistakes.
ADB: As you embark on your professional career in Germany, do you feel playing at UConn has prepared you to succeed there?
Wolf: Oh yea most definitely. Practicing and playing against guys that went to the NBA is something not a lot of German players can say they did prior to becoming pro. Plus the tremendous knowledge all the coaches passed on to me and the players.
ADB: What was the reaction from Niels when you decided not to return?
Wolf: He congratulated me and supports my decision in every aspect.
ADB: What did you enjoy most about your time at UConn?
Wolf: Playing in front of our home crowd! Nothing gave me more joy and excitement than all the fans cheering us on.
ADB: Do you have anything special that you would like to say to UConn fans?
Wolf: THANK YOU!!! Really, I can’t say it often enough. The fans made the last three years something very special that I will never forget. I really appreciate the love I got from every single one. And I am excited to now be one of them as I will obviously keep watching and cheering for UConn my whole life! I’ll always bleed blue!
OK, I’m coming around on this guy. He seems genuinely contrite about a mistake that he made. I suppose they’ll have to make do with the other 11 unproven centers on the roster.