GW Hoops / How Should We Be Greeting Max (and then Joe)?

**Posted by Gwmayhem** 1/13/2025 9:44 am

Transfers landing within the same conference were almost never an issue. First, there was an unwritten law to avoid having to have to play your former school during the regular season. The A10 and the Big 10 used to have rules stating that an intraconference transfer would be forced to sit out two years rather than the one year which was required at the time. And, I believe the player would also have to pay their way for one of those seasons. You may recall Trey Davis who signed a LOI with Hobbs before he was fired, then decided to go play for UMASS instead. GW tried to enforce the two year wait period but was unsuccessful given these circumstances. Not that anyone sits anymore but how preposterous would it sound today to make a player wait a year to play because the coach who recruited him was dismissed?

This brings us to Max Edwards on Wednesday, and Joe Bamisile who will playing for VCU at Smith Center next month. While these situations may become less rare in the future, the notion of a former GW player suiting up for the opposition at Smith Center still has that new car smell to it. (This also would have come up last year had Brayon Freeman not prematurely left his URI team.) Should we feel obligated to boo these guys? Or, take the higher road and welcome them back? Do the individual circumstances regarding their departures factor into this answer?

If we are to analyze the circumstances, these are two very different situations which starts with the individuals themselves. Joe makes anyone's "all-smile" team. He exudes joy on the court and yet most know by now that Joe is a complex person whose highs are quite high but who also experiences his share of lows. Max arguably makes an "all-frown" team, often looking the part of a disinterested bystander. Then of course are their reasons for moving on. In Joe's case, he was very hurt that JC had been released from his contract. He tried a big program once again only to return to the A10. It does stand to reason that had JC remained in place, Joe would have stayed at GW. No way to know for sure but a distinct possibility. As for Max, he began his GW career as a willing "Robin" to JB's "Batman." And that meant scoring when it was needed, playing concerted defense when it was needed, and rebounding which was always needed. Max earned the conference's Rookie of The Year and was in line to make an all-conference team during his next season. That did not work out as planned as Max could clearly see that a post-JB GW team was going to be centered largely around Jun and not himself. He was ejected from one game and was asked to come off the bench for several others. Max leaving GW was amongst the least surprising off-season moves even if this meant parting ways with his one-time high school teammate Christian Jones. That he ended up on the Dukes, where he no longer starts, strikes me as an example of betting on himself and losing.

So back to the original question, it would seem like we should have much love for Joe who left GW after his coach was dismissed and not so much for Max who clearly put himself in front of team (though he is far from alone in this day and age). However, my belief is that taking the higher road is the correct stance in both instances. I'll applaud Max on Wednesday, thinking about his great initial season rather than his lackluster second one. I can also see how potentially detrimental Max's presence could have been on this year's team, and will feel thankful that he moved on. I'll also feel like booing Max is akin to piling on. Given where he is at today (and I'm referring strictly on the basketball court), he likely feels badly over how things have turned. Booing the guy will not offer me any satisfaction.

**Posted by Hugh** 1/13/2025 9:55 am

Save booing for the NBA, either cheer or be quiet

**Posted by Basketball Jones** 1/13/2025 10:40 am

Does once a Colonial/Revolutionary always a Colonial/Revolutionary hold for those who transfer out?

**Posted by BC** 1/13/2025 11:03 am

Hugh wrote:
Save booing for the NBA, either cheer or be quiet

ditto for me

**Posted by porter71** 1/13/2025 11:03 am

This falls into my standard to how to handle yourself at a game.

If you are a grown-up, be respectful or be silent. College kids are still kids, and booing or heckling kids as an adult is lame. Officials, however, are always fair game.

If you are in college, heckle away. They are your peers and you can have some fun with this.

**Posted by GW Alum Abroad** 1/13/2025 11:14 am

Always better to stay classy. Would not have wanted JNJr to have gotten the raspberry on Hawk Hill. It is a little odd to see a former GW player in an opposing team´s uniform, but welcome to the new era. Yes, transfering in-conference falls within my definition of "not cool", but as porter71 said, save the vitriol for the refs.

**Posted by GW0509** 1/13/2025 11:27 am

Agree on not booing.

FWIW, Max has fallen out of the starting lineup and is only averaging 9 mpg in conference play. Now maybe Dru Joyce decides to start him in some sort of "revenge game," but odds are Max will have a limited role on Wednesday night.

**Posted by H&R..71** 1/13/2025 12:12 pm

It's analogous to seeing an ex at a family occasion...plain awkward! The mature approach of being civil is usually the suggested choice until the emotions take over. The departures of Max and Joe didn't evoke much emotion or surprise for me, as compared to some of the other transfers of which there were many. If Noel was returning I think he would get a warm welcome. His personality, work ethic and lack of ego differentiate him from these 2. I wouldn't boo any of them, but I know who I'd be rooting for or against.

**Posted by DC Native** 1/13/2025 12:14 pm

It will be indifference for me. I thoroughly enjoyed watching and cheering for each of these two young men play for GW, and I wish them nothing but success in their future endeavors. That said, when I go to a game, I am there to root for my team, and they are no longer on it. I agree with everyone else, though, that booing them would be classless and wrong.

**Posted by GWRising** 1/13/2025 12:35 pm

Not sure why this even warrants a discussion but I'll play. It's no different than when employees leave and go to a competitor. You have to assume each thought it was a better situation. I never begrudge anyone leaving to try to obtain a better situation. Butt sometimes you have to be careful what you ask for. Some or possibly even most of the time the grass isn't greener.

In any event, you don't boo former employees when you see them on the street. You are polite and respectful. But you do want to kick their ass on the playing field. I would not be bothered in the least if they both scored 0 points and we won but I would never heckle them.

**Posted by jf** 1/13/2025 2:30 pm

I don't boo anyone unless they are being a show-off, classless or dangerous.
Joe can be in the first category, but still wouldn't boo him unless he shows off or gets in the other
two categories.
Maybe recall Joe was actually going out the door, public or not, before JC was fired.
Max obviously feeds off emotion and that may influence his play on Wednesday. Actually, though he hasn't had much impact this year, the familiar confines of Smith Center and emotion, if channeled positively, could a potential worry for the game.
It was an odd transfer, as opposed to Joe's bizarre odyssey, but maybe it was about money--or running out of options at decision time.
He played hard, certainly around the boards.
Both are good examples of the grass not being greener: Bamisile for his bizarre odyssey. And Edwards
for his slide in play, at least so far.
If they behave appropriately, no reason to boo them. They can see what they missed.
Personally, like every player, hope their lives revolve around more than basketball.
Because it will someday.

**Posted by Alum1** 1/13/2025 8:29 pm

Can’t be there for this one, but would not boo either. I agree with those who say adults should be adults.

That does not mean, however, that I wouldn’t be waiting with anticipation to catch one of the several passes Max will throw into the stands. If he plays meaningful minutes, that is. Which he likely won’t.

Last edited by Alum1 (1/13/2025 8:30 pm)

**Posted by Gwmayhem** 1/14/2025 10:26 am

Alum1 wrote:
Can’t be there for this one, but would not boo either. I agree with those who say adults should be adults.

That does not mean, however, that I wouldn’t be waiting with anticipation to catch one of the several passes Max will throw into the stands. If he plays meaningful minutes, that is. Which he likely won’t.

While Alum1 will likely be correct about this, I wonder whether a presumably extra-motivated Max will receive an increase in playing time relative to his recent past? Probably not unless he comes in and say makes two quick shots, or something to that effect.

**Posted by H&R..71** 1/14/2025 12:17 pm

One aspect of this reunion should be noted. Max had meaningful relationships with some current players and am sure they'll be happy to see each other after 6 months.
And I'm sure the Revs will be happy to make a definitive statement that they've moved on by whooping Duquesne.

**Posted by Long Suffering Fan** 1/14/2025 12:37 pm

I understand all 3 moves and do not necessarily fault the players. Joe sought to boost his professional resume by transferring back up. His move to Oklahoma did not work as he hoped, but it was understandable. Max was A-10 rookie of the year, but at some point seemed to become uncoachable. I think that both Max and GW agreed that his moving was best for all involved. So he made a lateral move and that too has not worked out as he hoped. I expect him to be on his 4th different team next season as I cannot imagine he will stay on a team where he doesn't even get meaningful bench minutes. (I also can't help but noticing that the improved play of Duquesne seemed to coincide with the benching of Max). As for Brown, my feeling is that he was had some talent but needed more time to develop. He was also a super nice person. I may have been in the minority on him (maybe I was still hungover on his superb Kenner play) but I was disappointed (but not surprised) he left as he had not basketball future at GW. As for my reaction to Joe and Max, I will not boo but I certainly would not cheer. I would cheer for Noel if he visited the Smith Center. I will say that when I check the box scores on all 3 players, it pleases me when Joe and Max have had bad games (serves them right for leaving) but am happy for Noel when he has a good game.

**Posted by jf** 1/15/2025 9:22 pm

jf wrote:
...
Max obviously feeds off emotion and that may influence his play on Wednesday. Actually, though he hasn't had much impact this year, the familiar confines of Smith Center and emotion, if channeled positively, could a potential worry for the game.

Alas, it came to fruition.
Max did channel it extraordinarily in the first half, to lead Duquesne to beat us.

**Posted by H&R..71** 1/15/2025 9:52 pm

Prescient call jf!

**Posted by Alum '04** 1/15/2025 10:31 pm

You guys are crazy. There are much more impolite and unacceptable ways to negatively communicate to someone than to boo him. It's not like I told him his mother's a four letter word. I rarely ever boo players but I did boo Max today, who, last time I checked left GW.

Yes, like everyone else, I wish him well in his future endeavors. But what do you expect returning to play your old team? C'mon. Toughen up, guys.

Looks like Max got the last laugh, though.

Last edited by Alum '04 (1/15/2025 10:32 pm)

**Posted by Free Quebec** 1/17/2025 11:25 am

Have to wonder if a thread about whether we should boo Max gave him a little extra motivation to play like he did against us. Nothing like a little bulletin board material.

**Posted by GWRising** 1/17/2025 11:40 am

Free Quebec wrote:
Have to wonder if a thread about whether we should boo Max gave him a little extra motivation to play like he did against us. Nothing like a little bulletin board material.

Doubt it. He was already fired up to come and play against his former teammates and coaches - don't think he needed any extra motivation. Also, he had nothing to lose because he wasn't playing that much at Duquesne so when he got his opportunity he took advantage of it.