ANOTHER CHRIS WASHBURN IN THE MAKING?

Does history really repeats itself? Remember Chris Washburn, the 6-11 prep phenom and who later on had a stellar college career with the North Carolina State Wolfpacks? Well, he is the same Chris Washburn, the number three pick over-all of the Golden State Warriors in the 1986 NBA draft. Drugs killed Washburn’s promising pro career and he lasted just three mediocre campaigns in the NBA. He was eventually banned by the NBA in 1989 for failing three drug tests in three years.

Fast forward to 2009, another young, talented and upcoming NBA star is beginning to ruin his pro career. What is happening to Michael Beasly? The 6-9 former Kansas State stalwart had just completed his rookie season with the Miami Heat, who drafted him with the second over-all pick in the 2008 NBA draft. Beasly had a decent pro debut as he submitted norms of 13.9 ppg, 5.4 rpg and 1.0 apg in 81 appearances. NBA experts are all in one as far as predicting a long and bright pro career for the 20-year old Maryland native.

And now the disturbing news that left cage pundits in shock that Beasly has checked into a Houston rehabilitation center to seek counseling for psychological issues and apparent drug use. The kid is clearly in a state of depression and various reasons were speculated behind it. He has been in counseling in a undisclosed facility to address psychological issues and apparent drug use for as many as two weeks. “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.'' Additionally, a disturbing twitter was posted by his father which says “Please pray for him, he needs it.''

It is so disheartening to hear this kind of problem for someone who is being looked up and idolized by many kids in America. Is this the price for jumping prematurely into the NBA bandwagon after spending just a single college season? Maybe and maybe not but the NBA must seriously dig deep into this kind of problem or else it’s 1986 all over again.

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Herewith are the transactions completed from August 15 to August 25:

Tuesday, August 25

Atlanta signed forward Joe Smith.

Cleveland signed forward Danny Green.

Forward Cedric Simmons signed with Peristeri (Greece).

Monday, August 24

Phoenix named John Shumate assistant coach.

Guard Tarence Kinsey signed with Fenerbahce (Turkey).

Guard Taurean Green signed with AEK (Greece).

Saturday, August 22

Guard Alex Acker signed with Armani Jeans Milano (Italy).

Guard Kedrick Brown signed with Borova BLD (Turkey).

Friday, August 21

Los Angeles Clippers waived forward Mark Madsen.

Portland signed forward Dante Cunningham.

Wednesday, August 19

Orlando signed guard Jason Williams.

Guard Fred Jones signed with Biella Angelico (Italy).

Tuesday, August 18

Toronto traded guards Carlos Delfino and Roko Ukic to Milwaukee for forward Amir Johnson and guard Sonny Weems.

Golden State named Calbert Cheaney special assistant.

Monday, August 17

Phoenix signed forward Taylor Griffin.