Mar 2, 2013; Omaha, NE, USA; Creighton Bluejays forward Doug McDermott (3) during the second half against the Wichita State Shockers at the CenturyLink Center. Mandatory Credit: Dave Weaver-USA Today Sports

As I reported earlier today, Grant Gibbs will play an extra year at Creighton. This was not expected by most people around Creighton and certainly not by coach Greg McDermott. Because of this, all of their scholarships are tied up to to other players. This would mean that Gibbs would have to play as a walk on and pay his own tuition. Something that isn’t exactly cheap.

That would be the case anyways, if the McDermotts, both coach Greg and player Doug, were not the amazing human beings that they are. As news (from USA today) has surfaced that Gibbs will be getting an extra year, the Bluejays, in conjunction with Doug McDermott, have decided that Doug will give up his scholarship and play as a walk on for his senior season.

This is a move that I can’t remember ever seeing happening before on a team of such a high profile. We’re talking about one of the best players in the NCAA giving up his full ride scholarship for one of his teammates. Really this is what college basketball is all about, the friendships and brotherhood that is formed between teammates and the feeling that you would do absolutely anything for them. It’s absolutely beautiful to see.

Of course Doug McDermott is not being left out to dry. His father is the well paid coach of the Bluejays and he will foot the bill of McDermott’s tuition and living expenses, something that is calculated to costing around $30,000 to $40,000.

“From my perspective, it’s worth it to pay for Doug’s tuition to have a player of Grant’s caliber (on scholarship.) It was really the only option,” said coach McDermott.

Creighton could have taken a scholarship away from one of their bench players but they didn’t. McDermott, who could very well be the player of the year in 2014, chose to gave up his own to make room for one of their veterans. It’s an absolute class act by an absolute class organization and this is the type of stuff that should be getting more coverage instead of the negative news we always see about the NCAA and their schools.

At the very least, Doug will have the honor of easily being the most decorated and heralded walk on in the history of the NCAA. The All-American is looking to add a few more trophies to his mantle before eventually graduating on to the NBA after his senior season.