Tafara Gapare followed men’s basketball coach Kevin Willard from Maryland to Villanova. But their relationship soured quickly in what was supposed to be forward’s final college season.
On Tuesday, Villanova announced that Gapare “elected to depart” the program and would not return. He had missed the Wildcats’ previous three games because of “personal reasons.”
Gapare then said on social media Wednesday that he never said that he was “leaving or walking away from the team” and claimed that the program used his mental health struggles to shape that narrative.
“I never imagined that being honest about an injury and my mental health, and speaking with people I trusted, would lead to a narrative that I quit or left the team,” Gapare said in a post on X. “That is not true.”
Gapare said that he was transparent with medical professionals, staff and coaches about his mental health, and he was told that it was acceptable to take a brief period away. He said that he remained in regular contact with the coaching staff during that time and stayed committed to the program.
“Asking for help should never be mistaken for quitting,” Gapare continued.
The forward played in nine of Villanova’s 15 games this season, averaging 16.3 minutes with 2.9 points and 2.9 rebounds per game. He first missed the Wildcats’ third and fourth games in November. After a 94-60 win over Sacred Heart on Nov. 11, Willard addressed his absence.
“We’ve got someone out — their toe hurts,” Willard said at the postgame press conference, as players snickered beside him.
Willard served as Maryland’s coach for three seasons before his abrupt departure in March, during which he publicly criticized the athletic department amid a Sweet 16 run, called for increased resources and denied that he was leaving for Villanova before ultimately doing so. Amid the tournament, he also revealed former athletic director Damon Evans’ plans as Evans prepared to leave for the same role at Southern Methodist University.
Gapare, a native of Wellington, New Zealand, joined the Terps last season after two seasons split between Massachusetts and Georgia Tech. He played in 32 games for Maryland, averaging 10.3 minutes per game.
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