I'm at peace with Fab. Was one of my favorites these past two years, had an infectious and fun personality, was always good with the fans, and generally had fun with life, which, ironically, may have led to his downfall at SU. But I'm not holding it against him. The guy was in a different country, speaking his 3rd language, enrolled in an institute of higher learning here when who knows what kind of academic background he was provided in Brazil and Florida before coming to Syracuse? I'm certainly not gonna get angry at him...especially when the basketball team has such resources and people willing to volunteer their time to help ensure these kids are doing what they are supposed to off the court, while they make sure they are prepared on it (while also doing the other things asked of such high profile athletes like bball players at cuse...weightlifting, mandatory NCAA training & compliance classes, traveling involved with the games, going to different schools in the area to help give back to community, not to mention actual time and energy spent practicing, eating healthy, hosting potential recruits, ect. On top of all the "normal" responsibilities that come along with being a bball player at Cuse, add the Bernie scandle to the mix, which brought a circus-like atmosphere on campus with reporters everywhere, wanting quotes from the players...I'm sure the team had meetings about it where they were briefed on what to say & not to say about it, ect. Just alot of things going on in these athletes lives and alot of demands on their time. For those who have never participated in a college sports program while attending classes, I'd say to walk a mile in their shoes before being so quick to disparage. Def not easy, I know from experience, and that's on a lower level college sports team.)
I'll always be grateful for the good memories of this year, including those provided by Fab, like eating Herb Pope's lunch (Pope came into the game averaging a double-double) en route to setting the all time single game block record of 10 blocks...achieved in only 25 minutes of playing time no less! I'll always remember Fab nearly taking off from the foul line to dunk against Louisville. Nearly putting up a triple-double against Pittsburgh with 10 points, 10 rebounds and 6 blocks in only 29 minutes. Numerous alley-opp finishes, fast break outlet passes, and yes, even those silly mental mistakes and obvious goaltends he was prone to. (The goaltends never really bothered me for some reason...I still feel like it get's into an opponents head that the shot was blocked, even if the two points were given.) And of course, being selected Big East Defensive Player of the Year. Also, his transformation from 2010 to 2011 Fab was incredible...and I've already seen that used in different recruiting arguments as a talking point of how Syracuse was able to develop Fab to get him to that point, considering how limited he was as a Freshman.
And my hope is that Fab will have a successful Pro career, with the possibility of him donating back to the university. Good luck and thanks from this fan, Fab.
