Tennessee star Tyler Smith has been dismissed from the team.
The Vols senior was one of four players arrested on New
Year’s Day and suspended indefinitely after being caught in a
rental car with two handguns, marijuana and alcohol.
"We want to make sure we get as much information as possible
before making difficult decisions,” Tennessee coach Bruce
Pearl said in a statement released on Friday. "From the beginning,
the student-athletes involved have been accountable, remorseful and
cooperative with me. While we are not allowed to discuss specifics,
we felt we had enough information at this time to dismiss Tyler
Smith from the team. Melvin Goins, Cameron Tatum, and Brian
Williams will remain indefinitely suspended."
It’s still unclear whether Goins, Tatum and Williams
will return to the team, but Pearl has said they will not play
Sunday when Tennessee hosts top-ranked Kansas this weekend.
Smith is a Tennessee native who spent his freshman season at
Iowa. He returned home and received a waiver from the NCAA to play
immediately because he wanted to be closer to his father, who had
cancer and later died.
The athletic 6-foot-7 Smith averaged 17.4 points and 5.8
rebounds per game last season and tested the NBA waters before
deciding to return to school.
Smith struggled this season, averaging 11.7 points and 4.7
rebounds -- both career-lows.
"I am truly sorry for my actions in the recent case that
everyone is familiar with,” Smith said in a statement. "From
the beginning, I have accepted responsibility for my actions and
what I have been charged with, and I am very sorry that my
decisions have affected Brian, Cam and Melvin. One day soon I hope
I can finish the 12 classes that I need for my degree. My recent
actions do not reflect who I am and I can only hope that what I do
in the future can make everyone believe in me again."
