By Austin Turner — Content Editor
After previously losing standout players like Brandon Clarke and Ryan Welage to transfer, San Jose State’s leading scorer will transfer for the third-consecutive offseason.
Junior forward Michael Steadman, who had just transferred to SJSU from City College of San Francisco last offseason, told The Spear that he will be “opening up” his recruitment.
The departure comes just two days after his only season with the Spartans came to an end. The team fell to Air Force on Wednesday in the opening round of the Mountain West Championship Tournament.
“I felt like I just needed a fresh start somewhere,” Steadman said. “I just felt like I needed to leave.”
He left a message to the fans that supported him at SJSU.
“I really appreciated them throughout the season,” he said. “I enjoyed my time while I was a Spartan and I wish the program the best.”
Steadman becomes the latest Spartan to leave the program during head coach Jean Prioleau’s tenure.
Following his first season at the helm, SJSU lost its top three scorers — Welage, Keith Fisher, and Jayce Hillman — to transfer. The loss of Steadman continues a pattern of turbulence to a program that has been in significant need of stability.
The junior forward’s transfer is the first of the offseason for Prioleau. Following the loss to Air Force, he seemed confident moving on to next season with the team’s current core.
“You fix it through time,” Prioleau said. “That’s the only way you fix it and we have a young group. We have everyone back. And you have to keep working. That’s the only way you fix it.”
With Steadman’s departure, Prioleau’s plan may need to be revised. He will now have to do what he did in his first full offseason at SJSU — replace his top scorer.
Follow Austin on Twitter @AustinTurner_
