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August 26, 2009

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Heat rookie Beasley enters rehab facility

MICHAEL Beasley told his personal manager several days ago that he was working out in Houston because it brought "a change of scenery" from Miami and Washington.

What happened next is apparently a mystery, even to those who know Beasley best.

The Miami Heat forward checked into a Houston rehabilitation facility for treatment last week, two people briefed on the situation said on Monday. Each spoke on condition of anonymity because of privacy concerns; one said part of Beasley's treatment revolved around some stress-related issues, and both declined to say if the 20-year-old was receiving drug or alcohol counseling.

"Based on what I'm getting right now, there's a bit of concern," Bruce Shingler, Beasley's manager, said. "I don't really know what's going on. I just know his mom is on her way to go see him in Houston. That's it."

It's unknown how long Beasley will remain at the facility, or whether he will be available when the Heat open training camp on September 28.

The saga started in earnest last Friday, when a photo of the No. 2 pick in the 2008 National Basketball Association draft was posted to his Twitter account, in which Beasley displayed a new tattoo across his shoulders. The image also captured what appeared to be a small plastic bag on an adjacent table, the contents of which were unclear.

Beasley was already getting treatment when the photograph - and several comments, including "Feelin like it's not worth livin!!!!!!! I'm done" and "I feel like the whole world is against me I can't win for losin" - were posted on the feed.

Beasley's account has since been closed. Another account he used was shut down on July 27.

Beasley finished his rookie season as Miami's second-leading scorer behind Dwyane Wade, averaging 13.9 points and 5.4 rebounds. He spent much of the year as a reserve, and both Heat coach Erik Spoelstra and team president Pat Riley talked this summer about utilizing Beasley more this coming season at small forward and power forward.

Beasley's second season, much like his first pro year, is off to an ominous start.

Beasley was fined US$50,000 by the NBA last September after security officers at the league's rookie symposium detected the scent of marijuana in a hotel room occupied by Beasley, Mario Chalmers, Darrell Arthur and two women.




 

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