Saint Thomas, a forward at USC, applied for a fifth season eligibility waiver from the NCAA after overcoming serious mental health issues during his time at Loyola Chicago. His request was grounded in his past struggles, including depression and suicidal thoughts, leading to a brief leave from basketball. Despite encouragement from USC officials and a strong case, the NCAA denied his request, compelling Thomas to appeal while remaining optimistic about advocating for mental health awareness among athletes and seeking a chance to prove himself on the court once more.
My head was kind of all over the place. I'm not a kid that's just saying they have a mental health problem, or a kid that's just asking for another year to play college basketball. I feel like I really deserve it. I'm a real advocate of mental health now. I speak on it in interviews. I'm open about it. I think I can be a helping hand.
Both have yet to find resolution with the NCAA. But Thomas has since filed an appeal that he says provided more answers about his mental health struggles.
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