We all know about scandal. Back in February 2007 the Gonzaga men’s basketball program suffered a huge defeat off the court when their star center, Josh Heytvelt, and highly recruited redshirt freshmen, Theo Davis, were arrested for drug possession. An alarming 33.2 grams of psychedelic mushrooms were found on Heytvelt while Davis possessed a half smoked marijuana cigarette. The two were suspended from the team, ordered to community service, and subject to random drug tests. Despite this, Davis and Heytvelt have rejoined the Bulldogs this season team.
The school's decision to reinstate is excessively lenient and hands out too little a consequence. These players have already been penalized with a baby soft sentence by the court. Gonzaga’s laidback stance on their players’ criminal behavior is borderline negligent. My image of Gonzaga as the darling Cinderella team is tarnished. They’ve chosen to embrace the short path to success by forsaking values and principles. If these young men weren’t high profile athletes would community service have been an option? Keep in mind that the amount of magical mushrooms in Heytvelt’s possession qualified him for a felony. Why are these athletes still regarded as valuable members of the community? Coach Few and the school are at the heart of the problem.
In this the new season it’s a sure bet that Heytvelt (although currently nursing an ankle injury) will rack up his average of 15 points and 8 rebounds per game while Theo Davis gets his chance to shine against schools that coveted him during recruitment (such as North Carolina, Texas, Arkansas and Georgia Tech). 
Besides this, the sheer size of two 6-11 teammates capable of running the floor with ease in the mid-major West Coast Conference is a big deal. I suppose the glory of Heytvelt and Davis in an impact season was too tempting for Coach Mark Few to pass up. He’s ignoring the high road, a page from recent history when the Tar Heels ran into a similar problem after gaining a commitment from JamesOn Curry.
Curry averaged a blistering 42 points per game for Eastern Alamance High School while generally listed as a top 50 recruit. Head coach Roy Williams released Curry from a scholarship offer after he was arrested for several counts of marijuana possession and intent to distribute to undercover police. Ditto for Boston College. They ousted Sean Williams for marijuana charges as well. He was a budding star and one of the nation’s best shot blockers, but despite his tremendous potential and ability, the school’s position was clear.
The Gonzaga basketball program has yet to learn the most valuable lesson in their quest to keep up with the major teams in the NCAA - talent is nothing without standards. The decision to reinstate Heytvelt and Davis is self-serving. It clearly demonstrates Gonzaga’s greater interest, the success of their program and the immediate return. It does nothing for the well being of their players, young men who need to seriously understand that every action carries a consequence. A coach has four or less years to shape and mold a young player’s life. Coach Mark Few is teaching his entire team that basketball will bail them out. It’s a faulty and poisonous lesson. Gonzaga remains one of the best Division One programs in the nation, but unfortunately, one with little integrity.