Provo • BYU basketball player Nick Emery, who withdrew from school the day before the season opener, says he has been cleared of any wrongdoing by the school’s honor code office and promises to return to the school and team next year.
In a blog entitled “Outlive the Tendency” on the website theoutlive.com published Monday morning, Emery explains why he withdrew from school and says seeing a therapist has helped him through the process.
He does not mention a BYU and/or NCAA investigation about whether a BYU booster paid for travel to concerts and an amusement park and gave him use of a new car. The Tribune first reported on that investigation in October. On Monday afternoon, a BYU basketball spokesman said the school was “still working” with the NCAA regarding Emery.
“In my situation, I am so incredibly grateful for this investigation because it only solidifies that facts and facts only,” Emery wrote. “I was cleared of these false accusations, rumors and any wrongdoing by the honor code [office] after they did their investigation. I have been victim [of] false allegations, rumors and more things for several months.”
BYU stopped commenting on or acknowledging honor code investigations in 2014.
Emery, who has declined to talk publicly about the NCAA and school investigation since the allegations were reported by The Tribune, said he was breaking his silence because he hopes that others can learn from his experience.
“This whole experience has helped me grow up a lot and ultimately be a better person and I’m grateful for that,” he wrote.
Emery, who will have two years of eligibility remaining, referenced his divorce last spring, which was also in a statement from the school when he withdrew on Nov. 10.
“I have been through the fire and I know we each have our own fires we are battling,” he wrote. “Remember that there is always a tomorrow and that life will always move on no matter what trial is thrown your way. If you need to meet with a therapist, do it! I have; they have been a huge blessing to help me navigate my life and I will always be grateful for that.
“It is not a bad thing, we need people to help us through life and there are trained professionals to help us do so,” he continued.
Emery said after “countless nights of no sleep, school, basketball, divorce, NCAA, my family’s safety and my own safety, I decided it was good to withdraw from school and put an end to all the craziness.”
He said the decision to withdraw was his decision alone.
