The point is that he's been in mourning for the whole three years and hasn't been able to get past it. He tried to deal with it by continuing with life as usual - where life as usual meant the demanding, high-pressure life of a college basketball player at a major program. It didn't work, so he's trying something different.
And don't forget how young he was when this happened - he could have still been in high school - and that she was driving to see him play, so he may be dealing with some irrational but perfectly natural and understandable guilt.
And don't forget how young he was when this happened - he could have still been in high school - and that she was driving to see him play, so he may be dealing with some irrational but perfectly natural and understandable guilt.