On Monday, Richard Obert of the Arizona Republic Tweeted news that 2017 4-Star guard Markus Howard had reneged his verbal commitment to ASU, and then later published a story including a statement from the Markus on his reasons for reopening his recruitment.

"In August of 2014, I was given the opportunity to accept a scholarship to Arizona State University. I accepted the offer and made a verbal commitment. In doing so, it was a very exciting time for me, not realizing until now the complexity of making such a decision at such an early stage of my athletic experience. I don't believe I took the appropriate time to go through the process that would decide my academic and athletic future."

"After much thought and discussion with my family, I've decided to open up my recruitment and decommit from Arizona State University. My decision is in no way a reflection of the coaching staff. They have exhibited nothing but professionalism and sincerity. My relationship with them is the reason why this decision has been so difficult. I hope that ASU will continue to be a college option for me. My family and I would like to personally thank Coach Sendek and his coaching staff for their grace during this entire process."

"This has been a deeply personal decision that some will criticize and many will understand. That is why I trust the fans and those who know my heart will respect my choice to take this time. I sincerely appreciate your understanding."

Howard committed to ASU while visiting with his parents on August 27th 2014. At the time, Howard told me that he cared more about helping elevate the area he was from than anything else- which is part of the reason Howard decided to play basketball for Perry High school beyond the season he spend as a freshman with older brother Jordan on the roster. Howard plays club basketball for Las Vegas-based Las Vegas Prospects, and there had been questions from members of the local media on whether or not Howard would pursue a prep program like Findlay over remaining in the public school system he's zoned for.

Howard remained at Perry, and led the class of 2017 nationally in scoring at over 32 points per game. The decision to decommit from Arizona State isn't necessarily a surprise considering the rarity of athletes who commit as sophomores holding to their original commitment, often because of coaching changes, or expanded recruiting options. In Howard's case, his only other offer outside of Arizona State is currently Northern Arizona, but he has received attention from UCLA, Creighton, Virginia, Colorado and Gonzaga, among others. ASU coach Herb Sendek also received a one year contract extension days after Howard's commitment was announced, and despite pockets of Sun Devil basketball fans who are disappointed in ASU's progress under coach Sendek, there was no indication that a coaching chance was on the horizon when Howard's statement was released yesterday.

Requests to Howard's family for clarification and additional comment went unreturned, but it's likely that over the course of the last year, Howard and his family, while watching older brother Jordan go through his first college basketball season away from home at Central Arkansas, realized that having good intentions were not as important as making sure Howard ended up in the best situation for himself as a student and athlete. If ASU is currently off the table for the time being for the benefit of Howard's basketball future, it leaves one to wonder if Howard will be spending the remainder of his time as a prep player in the east valley, or if he'll seek out better competition in a prep school environment. Only time will tell, and as a 2017 graduate, time is something Howard still has plenty of.