Well, obviously it's much more serious and apparently confidential so they're not at liberty to release the information. If it's a medical thing it very well could be that the HIPAA laws prevent any type of disclosure in that regard. Now one may say "Well then just say it's an 'undisclosed' illness," but that would only prompt further questions and/or speculation and they probably don't want to go down that rathole. Whatever is it, clearly they have been instructed to protect his privacy. I really don't think at this point it's a case of the reporters "not asking the right questions."
This is the most I have agreed with a chickod post in a while, well said.
Only thing is that HIPAA doesn't apply to the BU staff, but handling it in the best way for your 19 year old player is more important than being open with the fans.