This is very sad and I hope this kid and his family gets the help needed. The last thing ANY HEAT fan should be thinking about is how this affect the basketball side of his this kids life.
Miami Heat's Michael Beasley checks into rehab program
Sources confirmed that rising Heat talent Michael Beasley, 20, has checked into a Houston rehabilitation center to seek counseling for psychological issues and apparent drug use.
Michael Beasley told his personal manager several days ago that he was working out in Houston because it brought "a change of scenery" from Miami and Washington.
What happened next is apparently a mystery, even to those who know Beasley best.
The Miami Heat forward checked into a Houston rehabilitation facility for treatment last week, two people briefed on the situation told The Associated Press on Monday. Each spoke on condition of anonymity because of privacy concerns; one said part of Beasley's treatment revolved around some stress-related issues, and both declined to say if Beasley was receiving drug or alcohol counseling.
The Miami Herald on Monday reported that Beasley, the second-overall pick of the 2008 draft out of Kansas State, has spent the last two weeks in a Houston facility as part of the NBA's substance abuse program to address concerns over his mental state and drug abuse.
According to the paper, what lies at the center of the story are pictures and messages posted to the player's Twitter page.
What we don't yet know for sure could fill a chapter or two. The broadest sketch of what we do know is that young Heat star Michael Beasley is in a rehabilitation center at the club's behest, driven there by substance abuse and apparent emotional issues. What we know, too, is that whatever understanding and support we can manage should be his through all of this, not ignorance or condemnation.
"Please pray for him, he needs it,'' Michael Beasley Sr. said Monday of his son.
Attitude issues, suspicion of drug use and paranoia over his future in Miami all contributed to a path that recently led Heat forward Michael Beasley to a Houston rehabilitation center, multiple sources confirmed Monday.
Beasley, the second overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft, has been in counseling at the undisclosed facility to address psychological issues and apparent drug use for as many as two weeks.
Details of Beasley's attendance emerged Monday in the wake of several disturbing comments and a controversial photo recently posted on his Twitter account.
The Heat had strongly encouraged Beasley, 20, to seek help and received backing from the league. Beasley spent his first NBA season without an agent after he fired Joel Bell after the 2008 draft.
"It's true that Mike is in Houston, and he went out there to work out,'' said Bruce Shingler, Beasley's longtime friend and live-in personal advisor. ``Mike has had some issues. As far as all of the rumors out there, I can't tell you anything.''
In the grainy photo that surfaced late last week, Beasley shows his newest tattoo that stretches across his back. But in the background, there appeared to be two plastic bags. There was widespread Internet speculation that the bags contained marijuana.
That photo, along with recent Twitter posts from Beasley suggesting that life wasn't worth living, were removed from the site by Monday afternoon. It was the second time this offseason that a Twitter account in Beasley's name had been created and soon vanished.
Beasley's mother, Fatima Smith, did not return a call to her cellphone. A Twitter posting by Michael Beasley Sr., who has had a limited role in his son's life, included the message: "Please pray for him, he needs it.''
Yahoo! Sports reported that Beasley would be under the guidance of former NBA coach John Lucas, who runs a center for professional athletes with substance-abuse issues. Lucas also battled substance abuse as a player and coach.
But it was unclear if Beasley was officially admitted into the program as a result of a string of violations or whether he sought treatment after a recommendation.
It also was unclear how long Beasley would receive treatment or whether he would be available for the Sept. 28 start of training camp.
Heat spokesman Tim Donavan declined to comment Monday and NBA spokesman Tim Frank cited an NBA rule that disallows any comment from the league. Beasley has been linked to possible drug use on two occasions since he entered the league, the most recent being the Twitter flap.
An earlier account had been taken down shortly after Beasley lashed out at being omitted from a group of young NBA stars being considered for spots on the U.S. national team. Beasley posted last month that he would be in ``kill mode'' next season.
Miami Heat's Michael Beasley checks into rehab program - Basketball - MiamiHerald.com
Miami Heat's Michael Beasley checks into rehab program
Sources confirmed that rising Heat talent Michael Beasley, 20, has checked into a Houston rehabilitation center to seek counseling for psychological issues and apparent drug use.
Michael Beasley told his personal manager several days ago that he was working out in Houston because it brought "a change of scenery" from Miami and Washington.
What happened next is apparently a mystery, even to those who know Beasley best.
The Miami Heat forward checked into a Houston rehabilitation facility for treatment last week, two people briefed on the situation told The Associated Press on Monday. Each spoke on condition of anonymity because of privacy concerns; one said part of Beasley's treatment revolved around some stress-related issues, and both declined to say if Beasley was receiving drug or alcohol counseling.
The Miami Herald on Monday reported that Beasley, the second-overall pick of the 2008 draft out of Kansas State, has spent the last two weeks in a Houston facility as part of the NBA's substance abuse program to address concerns over his mental state and drug abuse.
According to the paper, what lies at the center of the story are pictures and messages posted to the player's Twitter page.
What we don't yet know for sure could fill a chapter or two. The broadest sketch of what we do know is that young Heat star Michael Beasley is in a rehabilitation center at the club's behest, driven there by substance abuse and apparent emotional issues. What we know, too, is that whatever understanding and support we can manage should be his through all of this, not ignorance or condemnation.
"Please pray for him, he needs it,'' Michael Beasley Sr. said Monday of his son.
Attitude issues, suspicion of drug use and paranoia over his future in Miami all contributed to a path that recently led Heat forward Michael Beasley to a Houston rehabilitation center, multiple sources confirmed Monday.
Beasley, the second overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft, has been in counseling at the undisclosed facility to address psychological issues and apparent drug use for as many as two weeks.
Details of Beasley's attendance emerged Monday in the wake of several disturbing comments and a controversial photo recently posted on his Twitter account.
The Heat had strongly encouraged Beasley, 20, to seek help and received backing from the league. Beasley spent his first NBA season without an agent after he fired Joel Bell after the 2008 draft.
"It's true that Mike is in Houston, and he went out there to work out,'' said Bruce Shingler, Beasley's longtime friend and live-in personal advisor. ``Mike has had some issues. As far as all of the rumors out there, I can't tell you anything.''
In the grainy photo that surfaced late last week, Beasley shows his newest tattoo that stretches across his back. But in the background, there appeared to be two plastic bags. There was widespread Internet speculation that the bags contained marijuana.
That photo, along with recent Twitter posts from Beasley suggesting that life wasn't worth living, were removed from the site by Monday afternoon. It was the second time this offseason that a Twitter account in Beasley's name had been created and soon vanished.
Beasley's mother, Fatima Smith, did not return a call to her cellphone. A Twitter posting by Michael Beasley Sr., who has had a limited role in his son's life, included the message: "Please pray for him, he needs it.''
Yahoo! Sports reported that Beasley would be under the guidance of former NBA coach John Lucas, who runs a center for professional athletes with substance-abuse issues. Lucas also battled substance abuse as a player and coach.
But it was unclear if Beasley was officially admitted into the program as a result of a string of violations or whether he sought treatment after a recommendation.
It also was unclear how long Beasley would receive treatment or whether he would be available for the Sept. 28 start of training camp.
Heat spokesman Tim Donavan declined to comment Monday and NBA spokesman Tim Frank cited an NBA rule that disallows any comment from the league. Beasley has been linked to possible drug use on two occasions since he entered the league, the most recent being the Twitter flap.
An earlier account had been taken down shortly after Beasley lashed out at being omitted from a group of young NBA stars being considered for spots on the U.S. national team. Beasley posted last month that he would be in ``kill mode'' next season.
Miami Heat's Michael Beasley checks into rehab program - Basketball - MiamiHerald.com
