What's Next For Elijah Minnie?
When Elijah Minnie and the Robert Morris basketball program parted ways this past February, there was some tension and bitterness directed towards Minnie from the Colonial faithful.
Minnie, a current sophomore at Robert Morris, was a pivotal part of the NEC Championship team last year. Minnie eventually earned his way into the starting lineup, starting 21 games as a freshman. He averaged 6.8 points and 4.9 rebounds per game. In the championship game at St. Francis Brooklyn, Elijah had 14 points. Then, in the first round of the NCAA tournament, Minnie had a double-double, scoring 12 points and grabbing 10 boards in a 81-77 victory over the North Florida Ospreys.
In addition, Elijah Minnie set a couple of freshman records during his time with the Colonials. The 6’8” stretch forward blocked 36 shots during the 2014-15 season and in addition, led the team with a 54.7% field-goal percentage (also a freshman record).
The perception around campus is that Elijah Minnie was dismissed from the basketball program. According to Elijah, that’s not what happened. “Most people think I was kicked off the team based off of Coach Toole’s comments after the CCSU loss,” Minnie said. “But I asked to leave. I didn’t leave because I didn’t care, I left because at some point in life you have to be a little selfish and do what’s best for yourself,” he added.
“My teammates understood and they wished me the best of luck. I still talk to them every day because we’re still brothers no matter what happens.”
Prior to leaving, Elijah was scoring 12.0 points and averaging 6.6 rebounds per game. Anyone who follows the NEC, fan or beat writer, is cognizant of the talent that Elijah Minnie possesses. He was a mismatch problem for a lot of teams. There aren’t a lot of athletic, six foot eight forwards in the NEC. His ability to shoot the long ball kept defenders on their toes because he is a versatile, multi-dimensional player who can beat you in more than one way.
While Elijah wishes things could have played out differently, the past is the past and he knows it’s time to move on. With that being said, the question that fans and students have been asking since his departure: what exactly was the problem? He had the potential to be the best forward in the NEC for the next several seasons. So what exactly went wrong? Again, anyone who follows the NEC is aware of the fact that Elijah Minnie and head coach Andy Toole didn’t have the best relationship.
“Toole isn’t a bad coach, he’s just not the coach for me. We never got along and it’s just two stubborn people going at it,” Elijah stated.
There are many differences between college and pro basketball. In the NBA, it’s all basketball and it’s all business. The relationship between the coach and player in college is a whole lot different than playing professionally.
At the collegiate level, student-athletes have many responsibilities other than basketball. Adjusting from high school to college can be difficult for some people. Many players view their coach as a mentor or another father figure, and if the relationship between coach and player isn’t strong, things can go south. These kids come in as boys and by the end of their four years, they are expected to be men.
Coach Andy Toole has done an exceptional job during his tenure at Robert Morris and many of his players have vouched for him not only as a basketball man, but as a man period.
With Elijah, he has respect for coach Toole, but moving on to another program is the option he feels is best for him.
So what’s next for Elijah Minnie? Currently, Minnie already has two solid offers from Nevada and Clemson, which he has official visits set up. Boston College, Tennessee and the Florida Gators have expressed interest, but no offers have been made from those three teams.
Elijah won’t be alone during this process.
“I have my dad and two mentors. My mentors work extremely hard at getting schools to contact me,” Elijah said.
With the noted history between coach Toole and Elijah, certain questions from other head coaches are to be expected.
So how does he handle that aspect of his recruiting process?
“It’s a little hard to explain. I speak very well so I get my point across and help the other coaches understand. It’s up to them which side they believe.”
There’s no rush on a decision, however. Elijah will take his time and enjoy the process. He wants to make sure the program, as well as the school, is the right fit.
“I talk to Clemson and Nevada almost every day,” Minnie said.
To RMU fans, Clemson sounds familiar. Marcquise Reed, former Robert Morris guard and 2014-15 NEC rookie of the year, transferred to Clemson after his freshman season just a year ago. Does Elijah’s former teammate being at one of the schools that is recruiting him give them an advantage?
According to Elijah, it certainly does.
“Quise being at Clemson does give them an edge over other schools, but at the end of the day it’s whatever is best for me,” Minnie stated.
As a freshmen, Elijah Minnie and Marcquise Reed helped guide the Colonials to their first NCAA tournament berth since 2010. After Robert Morris defeated North Florida in a thriller, who was the first person Elijah Minnie embraced as soon as the final buzzer went off? Yup, you guessed it: Marcquise Reed.
When discussing what role he would play with potential coaches, Minnie said that they want him to come in and make a huge impact. Both Nevada and Clemson would want him to start, but Elijah carefully pointed out that nothing is given. “I have to work for it,” he said.
Yeah, he’s heard the criticism from fans and students, and while some of it might be harsh, Elijah is just trying to stay humble.
“The RMU community might be bitter about me leaving or might not care at all, but if they truly want what’s best for me, they’d understand that RMU is not what’s best for me. Now I love RMU and all of the accomplishments I have done there and friends i’ve made and relationships I’ve built will not be forgotten at that school.”