Roddy Gayle Jr., a former Buckeye, made headlines when he committed to Michigan basketball. However, instead of embracing this talented player who decided to join our team, some Michigan fans have taken to X to voice their opinions, some of which have been downright hateful.
Gayle has struggled recently and was credited with three turnovers, as well as shooting just 20 percent in the Michigan basketball win over Oregon on Wednesday, although he did have two clutch free throws to seal the win.
Posts found on X reveal setiments like, "No, Michigan basketball gets in gross games. Turn the ball over consistently even though we're 21 games in, team has horrible awareness, guards are weak as [explicative] and Roddy Gayle is buns." Such comments not only undermine Gayle's skills but also fail to appreciate the context of his contributions to the team.
Gayle's decision to transfer was influenced by the coaching change at Ohio State and his desire for a basketball team that would fit his abilities. Michigan's Head Coach, Dusty May, has been vocal about Gayle's unique abilities. In interviews, May has expressed excitement about Gayle, stating, "Well I watched him play a few times randomly throughout the season, and I liked his game. He's got the unique ability to get downhill and draw fouls," May said via On3.com.
The disrespect shown towards Gayle not only affects his morale but also reflects poorly on the fanbase. We as Michigan fans pride ourselves on our passion for sports, but this passion should translate into support, not disdain, especially for players who can bring this team great success.