Be Smart

Unfortunately, Oakland County's boys basketball scene saw three different suspensions of high-profile players this past week.

Birmingham Seaholm's Paris Bass and Birmingham Groves Kyle Ervin were both suspended on Friday night for disciplinary issues and West Bloomfield fab frosh Trishton Jackson, a two-sport standout that also starts under center at quarterback for the Lakers football team, was suspended indefinitely earlier in the week for academic reasons.

This goes out to all you OC athletes out there:

Please, think before acting fellas.

Understand that suiting up for the squad is a privilege, not a right.

If you don't behave properly and fail to hit the books as hard as you work on your jump shot, you're going to have to deal with the consequences. That usually means missing time on the floor.

All three of the aforementioned suspended players are college recruits. These kind of things don't help your cause at the next level. If they start to mount up, they become red flags and undermine your entire recruiting process.

Furthermore, realize that you as local high school athletes are role models for all the young aspiring prepsters in the area. Try to teach them what it means to represent your school, community or town, with pride and strong moral fiber.

It sounds cheesy, but it rings true.

Do the right thing and everything else will fall into place.

That's a Burney Bonafide promise.