<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">IOWA CITY, Iowa -- Unceremoniously ending months of courtroom drama, former Iowa player Pierre Pierce pleaded guilty to four criminal charges under a plea agreement with prosecutors just hours into jury selection. Under the agreement, he will likely face up to four years in prison rather than the 56 years carried with the original charges. Prosecutors dropped two counts of first-degree burglary charges in exchange for guilty pleas to third-degree burglary, a Class D felony, assault with intent to commit sexual abuse, an aggravated misdemeanor and false imprisonment and fourth-degree criminal mischief, both serious misdemeanors. The former Hawkeye basketball star could be sentenced to nine years in prison, but prosecutors said they will request that punishment for the third-degree burglary charge be suspended, deducting five years from his time behind bars. Sentencing is set for Oct. 14. </div> Source
Wow, this is depressing. There was a time when Pierre Pierce was my favorite college player. The kid was just plain fun to watch. He was a young Freshman (Big Ten FOY) with amazing quickness and athleticism. I thought he had a serious chance to be a future lottery pick and give some credibility to the Big Ten. This was the kid's second chance, so he only has himself to blame though. It's sad that some of these kids don't realize what kind of gifts and opportunities they have right in front of them for the taking (Whaley, M. Williams, Shawne Williams, A.J. Price, etc.).
Ok, there's just no two ways about this situation. Pierce is a waste of talent and a loser. He deserves no sympathy, because he's had chances and did this crap to himself. Loser.
I'm with VC on this one, Pierce was a great college player, exciting to watch but no way do I feel sympathy for him. Right now I am just shocked, all these players in court it's not right. All they have to do is stay clean for 2-4 years in college, be a lottery pick, and then your set for life.
