ORONO, Maine — Ethan Mackey spent three years with the University of Maine basketball program before he was awarded any scholarship money. Barely a semester later, he has ended his career.
Head coach Bob Walsh confirmed on Friday that Mackey has left the team and will relinquish his athletic scholarship for the second semester.
Mackey, a 6-foot-7 forward from Voorheesville, New York, apparently intends to concentrate on completing work on his degree next year.
“It’s something that he’s really struggled with for a long time, and he has the opportunity to graduate at the end of the summer if he really focuses on his schoolwork,” Walsh said.
“I think he looked at the amount of time, the level of effort and dedication that we’re asking out of the guys, what we’re asking him to do, his priorities,” Walsh said.
Mackey could not immediately be reached for comment on Friday night.
He had appeared in all nine games this season for the Black Bears and made four starts. The left-handed shooter averaged 4.3 points and 3 rebounds while shooting 55 percent from the field in 12.9 minutes per contest.
Last season under coach Ted Woodward, Mackey posted 5.1 points and 4.8 rebounds in 16.7 minutes per game. He made 18 starts among 29 games.
Walsh had only positive things to say about the soft-spoken Mackey.
“He made a decision that was best for him as far as his future,” Walsh said. “It was hard for him, and it’s hard for us. He’s a great kid and a great teammate.”
Mackey arrived at UMaine in 2011 after attending Northfield Mount Hermon prep school in Massachusetts. He suffered a knee injury that required surgery and sidelined him for his first season.
He played in only one game during his redshirt freshman season before breaking into the rotation last winter.
Walsh said that sophomores Christian Ejiga, Erik Nissen and Marko Pirovic are among those who could increase their roles in Mackey’s absence.
UMaine also has bid farewell to senior nonscholarship player Peter Westra of New Gloucester. The 6-5 forward appeared in only one game in this, his only season with the team.
Walsh said Westra, whom he called a terrific student, admitted he was having trouble balancing the rigors of academics and basketball.