Former Saint Joe’s star Delonte West has since surfaced at the Cleveland Cavaliers’ training camp, but after he missed the first two days of workouts, the Chronicle-Telegram of Elyria, Ohio, caught up with head Hawk Phil Martelli, who said West “needs help” and that he was “worried” about him.

Martelli also acknowledged he was unaware that West was bipolar back when West played for him, which doesn’t necessarily mean West did indeed suffer from the mental illness during his time at 54th and City Ave. And we’re not about to play psychologist and guess when it was that he first began experiencing symptoms.

“He was driven by basketball when he was with us,” Martelli said. “If I was coming back from a speaking engagement and saw the lights on in the field house, I knew it was him.

“He’s zany enough, but if you’re paying attention, you know he’s leading you on. He’s zany, but in a good way.”

West was held out of the Cavs’ team scrimmage on Saturday by general manager Danny Ferry, who subsequently commented on the matter for the first time since West failed to show last Tuesday and Wednesday.

“We are using resources to help him,” [Ferry] said. “I think our environment is great for people. It’s a good group of people who work hard, that care about each other and want to win, and having Delonte in that I think is positive and we’re excited that he’s with us. I’m encouraged that he’s making progress.”

Here’s hoping West gets well.

Links: Martelli worried about West [Chronicle-Telegram of Elyria, Ohio]
Cavs decide West won’t scrimmage [ESPN.com/Associated Press]
Photo credit: [Reuters]