The Colorado Springs Gazette is reporting that Air Force Falcons guard Matt Mooney will be leaving the Academy and the basketball team. Mooney was a part time starter early in the season for the Falcons and was a valuable asset off the bench late in the season as Air Force began their youth movement following injuries and other issues with their senior class.
Mooney is reported to have told Head Coach Dave Pilipovich that he did not see himself as a military person and struggled to find a comfort zone in the highly rigorous student life that accompanies the United State Air Force Academy.
Mooney's most memorable moment of the 2014-2015 season is probably the punch he threw at Colorado State's J.J. Avila after the Rams forward head-locked teammate Zach Kocur during a scramble for a rebound in the January game at Air Force. Mooney averaged 6.9 points and accumulated 52 assist and 24 steals during his freshman campaign.
Mooney's departure will open up playing time for classmate C.J. Siples or Dezmond James. In the article, Pilipovich also spoke of maybe building a bigger line-up and playing Hayden Graham at the third guard/small forward position. With a versatile roster, Mooney will be missed but there are a number of opportunities for the Falcons as they have a young but deep group returning for the 2015-2016 season.