Withdrawing from the team at this point just seems like an extreme measure. Obviously we need him now. Things may change in the future, but we have no bench now. Of course it is always hard to penetrate the media statements for some actual truth. But to withdraw at this point is not something that could be self-serving to Stith. First off, he is playing so he isn't upset about PT. Secondly, withdrawing at this point isn't going to protect any future eligibility to play elsewhere, as he has already exhausted his 3rd year, so even if he were interested in transferring it would not make sense to do it now (that is, just wait till the end of the season). Thirdly, if it were an academic issue, it would not make sense for HIM to withdraw, although it might be in the best interests of the team if he were in some kind of academic trouble to have him jump ship before we have a player ruled ineligible for academic issues. Student athletes have access to educational resources that regular students do not have. This is obviously not a SJU thing, but is the state of play for NCAA athletes everywhere. Not being on the team, might, perhaps, exclude him from these resources (but I don't know, maybe being "student manager" or whatever qualifies him for the same access to resources). Athletes at SJU have no excuse if they don't succeed, as the school really empowers them to do well with help and resources.
Maybe we'll hear the real story, maybe not. I just can't figure out the timing of this thing. If Malik sticks with SJU and graduates, I wish him the best of luck. I wouldn't be suprised, however, if at the end of the academic year we start hearing rumblings of Stith moving on to another school. Not sure what his academics are like but he sure would have a lot of fun playing out a last year of eligibility at some small college somewhere we he could be THE MAN. I am not talking D1 here.