By ADAM ZAGORIA
Kristi Flowers, the mother of former Louisville commit Trentyn Flowers, says her son has received death threats after announcing Monday that he would play professionally in Australia instead of attending Louisville this season.
“All messages have come via direct message or directly to his phone,” she told ZAGSBLOG after issuing a Tweet about the situation. “His number was leaked. People have threatened him, told him to go kill himself, wished him career ending injuries, threats of guns, all kinds of ridiculous things. Our main priority is his safety and his health right now.”
Asked if she had contacted the authorities, she said: “We understand that people are unhappy with his decision and are acting out of emotion, but this has gone too far. We will deal with it all accordingly.”
A Louisville spokesman told ZAGSBLOG: “We’ve contacted Trentyn’s family and recommended that they report any forms of harassment to the proper authorities.”
Louisville coach Kenny Payne had counted on Flowers to play significant minutes this season, and now he says he’s “disappointed.” “Earlier today, Trentyn and his family informed me of his decision to pursue a professional career overseas,” Payne said in a statement Monday. “We’re certainly disappointed in his decision and the timing. We fully believe in the University of Louisville’s ability to help student-athletes reach their goals, including to play at the highest levels of professional basketball – and we’re confident that Trentyn could have achieved his dreams by making Louisville his home. However, we wish Trentyn and his family well in all of their future endeavors.” The 6-foot-8 Flowers has signed as part of the Australian NBL “Next Stars” program with the Adelaide 36ers, the same team that produced current Oklahoma City Thunder guard Josh Giddey. His mother told ZAGSBLOG her son was told he will play point guard for the 36ers.Listen! I will tolerate a lot of things ….fans can be unhappy with this decision, but sending death threats is unacceptable. Wishing career ending injuries is unacceptable, leaking his phone number and harassing him is unacceptable, telling him to kill himself is unacceptable.
— Kristi Flowers (@blessedKristi) August 15, 2023
Flowers, a five-star recruit listed as a small forward, initially reclassed and commited to Louisville in March. “The coaches all recruited me very hard,” Flowers said during his commitment. “Their goals align with mine and I’m excited to be a Cardinal.” This post was updated on Aug. 15 at 12:23 p.m. Follow Adam Zagoria on Twitter Follow ZAGSBLOGHoops on Instagram And Like ZAGS on FacebookLets GO! pic.twitter.com/6FusMcf9EJ
— Trentyn Flowers (@FlowersTrentyn) August 14, 2023
