Anthony DiLoreto resurfaces, albeit briefly

You remember Anthony DiLoreto, don't you? His story is pretty unique.

A 7'1" center and a Cal Poly San Luis Obisbo commit, DiLoreto was arrested for being the getaway driver during a botched bank robbery. As you would assume, Cal Poly San Luis Obisbo no longer wanted the big fella as he was potentially facing jail time.

Anthony DiLoreto has had quite a few problems since he left high school.
(photo credit: Star Tribune)

Luckily, DiLoreto was able to cut a deal where he pleaded no contest to felony robbery charges. Essentially, what was going to happen is he DiLoreto would need to avoid getting into any trouble, and not only would he record get wiped clean, he was going to be eligible to play the 2009-2010 season.

Stew Morrill, who has been known for giving troubled kids second chances (remember Gary Wilkinson anyone?), signed DiLoreto in September. But during his redshirt season, DiLoreto was busted for weed, getting himself suspended from all team activities and eventually kicked out of the program.

Well, DiLoreto has resurfaced. Last weekend, like much of the rest of the basketball world, he was in Las Vegas, and believe it or not, he wasn't causing trouble (we think). DiLoreto was at a junior college showcase (see the full roster here, he's No. 85).

DiLoreto has probably used up every chance he deserves. But here at BIAH, we hate seeing kids fail. Here's to hoping Anthony takes advantage of any JuCo that will give him a shot, and uses his height to get himself educated and turn his life around.

(h/t Pico at ECB)
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Anthony DiLoreto smokes weed too

Anthony DiLoreto caught a huge break.

If you remember, back in August of '08, DiLoreto was the 7'1" Cal Poly recruit that tried to rob a bank with his friend but bailed, stranding his friend. The friend was eventually caught, spilled the beans on DiLoreto, and the seven-footer lost that scholarship offer.

Once DiLoreto made it through the court system (he was given a 90 day jail sentence, but it was broken up into three 30 day increments to be served during the summer so he could attend school), he was offered a scholarship by Stew Morrill at Utah State, a coach known for giving kids second chances.

So what did DiLoreto do?

He got busted smoking weed.

Morrill has suspended DiLoreto indefinitely, and will wait to make a decision on his status in the program until after the season.

But seeing as Diloreto is still on probation, it may not be his call to make.
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Utah State sign Anthony DiLoreto

We've talked a few times over the summer about Anthony DiLoreto, the 7'1" former-Cal Poly signee who was arrested for robbing a bank last August (he cut a deal with prosecutors last month).

Well, it is now official. DiLoreto has signed with Utah State. He enrolled for this semester and will play this season with freshman eligibility.

USU coach Stew Morrill is known for giving kids second chances. The lone senior on last year's NCAA Tournament team for the Aggies was big man Gary Wilkinson, who was a bit of a rebel himself. He dropped out of high school having never played organized ball, turning to drugs and alcohol. But Wilkinson was able to turn his life around, eventually becoming an academic all-american at a local JuCo before becoming an all-conference big man in the WAC.

Morrill brought in DiLoreto to help replace Wilkinson. Hopefully, he can help DiLoreto get on the right track of life as well.

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ANTHONY DILORETO CUT A DEAL: A few weeks ago, we wrote about a prospect from Minnesota that was being recruited by a number of mid- and high-majors (and was even offered a scholarship by St. Louis) despite the fact that he was facing charges for robbing a bank.

Well, he is no longer facing charges.

DiLoreto cut a deal in which he pleaded no contest to felony robbery charges; he pleaded guilty to felony robbery charges, but they will be dismissed if he stays out of trouble for a year.

That means as long as the former Cal Poly signee avoids robbing anymore banks, he should be able to play in the 2009-2010 season.

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Rick Majerus must have really liked Public Enemies

Do you remember the name Anthony DiLoreto?

He is a 7'0" recruit from Minnesota that had committed to Cal Poly San Luis Obisbo. But he never enrolled.

Why?

Because he was arrested ... for robbing a bank!

This is what happened. DiLoreto and a friend drove 125 miles to Wisconsin, and while DiLoreto sat outside in the getaway car, his friend went into the bank to rob it. But DiLoreto got scared, left the bank, and began driving home. His friend was caught 45 minutes later walking along the side of the road. He spilled the beans, and the seven-footer was arrested back in his Minnesota hometown.

Anthony DiLoreto has been offered by Rick Majerus
despite the fact he hasn't settled the charges against him.
(photo credit: BIAH)

Yes, this is a serious crime, but that doesn't mean this kid doesn't deserve a second chance. We all make poor decisions growing up, and whether it is smoking a little reefer, getting in a fight, or cheating on a test, high school debauchery does not an evil person make.

DiLoreto, who reneged on his commitment to Cal Poly, has been receiving some interest from A-10, Big Ten, and WCC schools, and when he gets all these legal issues figured out (assuming he keeps his nose clean), I see no reason why he shouldn't get a shot at turning his life around. Hey, Zack Randolph and Allen Iverson both did time in high school, and while they are far from model citizens, both have ùsomewhat managed to stay out of trouble.

Here's the issue: DiLoreto's next court date is August 7th, and the case could be settled by then. But according to Gary Parrish, he has already been offered a scholarship by Rick Majerus at St. Louis. I mean, the kid is still facing serious jail time - he tried to rob a freakin' BANK - and you've already offered?

That's the coaching world we live in these days. The "what have you won for me lately" mentality has made it a necessity for coaches to toss their scruples out the window. And we all know what a stand-up guy Majerus is.

Parrish got a great quote from one coach:

I'll take him right now, or in three-to-five years.

Sounds about right.
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