Ron Steele Injury Ends Tide Career

University of Alabama men’s basketball senior guard Ronald Steele has elected to forgo the remainder of his senior season head coach Mark Gottfried announced Tuesday evening.

Ron Steele, who has not played since January 11 due to plantar fasciitis, averaged 12.9 points and 3.7 assists per game this season. The 6-2, 191-pound senior point guard returned to action this season after missing the 2007-08 campaign following surgeries to both knees.

“This is a very difficult time for Ron as his injuries have been very unfortunate and difficult for him,” said Alabama Coach Mark Gottfried. “I’ll always be indebted to his contributions to our program and The University of Alabama and wish him the very best in his future endeavors.”

Steele leaves the Crimson Tide as one of only two players in UA history with 1,000 and points and 400 assists in career as he scored 1,113 points and recorded 453 assists, the fourth most in school history. He received his degree in financial planning from UA in December of 2007.

The Tide will forge ahead without Steele this week in home contests against Ole Miss tonight and Kentucky and Saturday. Tipoff tonight against Mississippi is scheduled for 7 CST at Coleman Coliseum.