The Red and Black

Issue date: 3/25/08 Section: Sports

Media Credit: SARA GUEVARA Georgia's Rashaad Singleton tries for a jump shot as Grambling State's Jarred Riley attempts to block during a game November 14, 2007 at Stegeman Coliseum. Singleton later left the team in January 2008. [Click to enlarge]

For former men's basketball players Takais Brown, Mike Mercer and Rashaad Singleton, dwelling on the past achieves nothing. Since leaving the team during the season, the trio of former Georgia basketball players all have managed to move on in their separate directions.

The seven-foot Singleton was center-court when the Bulldogs opened the season. After appearing in 10 games, averaging 2.7 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game, Singleton made a personal decision to leave the team that went on to win the SEC Championship and make its first NCAA tournament since 2002.

"I don't regret what I did. Honestly, I just knew it was something I needed to do," Singleton said. "Do I regret leaving the guys? I mean of course, they are like my family. They are more than just your teammates."

Associate head coach Pete Herrmann tried to stop Singleton from walking away from the team.

"I didn't agree with it. I thought he should be with us, but that is what he decided," Herrmann said.

There is no single reason why the Campbell, Fla., native left the Bulldogs.

"It was not just playing time. It was time for me to move on," Singleton said. "I felt like I needed a fresh start somewhere."

Singleton said he still hangs out with his former teammates, including his roommate Terrance Woodbury, who was named to the All-SEC Tournament team after the Bulldogs' unlikely run.

"I wish him the best in whatever he does, and I know he wishes the best for us," Woodbury said.

Singleton watched from Athens as the Bulldogs pulled of their remarkable SEC Championship run.

"I felt like I was right in the crowd cheering them on," Singleton said. "People are saying it is luck, but it had nothing to do with luck."

Continued...

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