Houston Suspends Basketball Players

Monday February 25 2:35 PM ET
Houston Suspends Basketball Players

HOUSTON (AP) - Four players from Houston's basketball team have been suspended, including Kevin Gaines, who will not return this season.

Also suspended for unspecified periods were leading scorer Dominic Smith, leading rebounder Louis Truscott and Marcus Oliver.

The school did not specify why the players were suspended, only saying a ``violation of team rules was involved.''

``(Gaines) has some real issues in his life that he must get in order,'' coach Ray McCallum said. ``We will support him, but basketball is a secondary issue right now.''

Police in Greenville, N.C., said Gaines was arrested early Sunday.

Greenville police Officer Danny Mills said Gaines was arrested at approximately 2:30 a.m. Sunday near the East Carolina campus, where Houston played Saturday. Police investigating a complaint of breaking and entering involving an automobile, were told by a woman that Gaines had physically attacked her, police said.

Gaines, charged with assault on a female, had his bond increased from $5,000 to $10,350 at a hearing Monday after it was learned he may be wanted on an unspecified charge in Michigan. He remained in the Pitt County jail.

The other three players must undergo ``administrative program consultation'' before returning to the team, McCallum said.

``These players will be provided some counseling and support programs before they rejoin the team,'' McCallum said.

Houston, which lost 63-46 at East Carolina on Saturday, is 15-12 overall and 8-6 in Conference USA.

Smith, a senior guard, leads the Cougars in scoring at 15.6 points, while Truscott, a junior forward, is next at 13.1 points and leads in rebounding at 9.5 per game. Gaines, a sophomore guard, averaged 10.0 points, while Oliver, a junior guard, was averaging 5.0 points.

 

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