Tuesday, September 30, 1997
Johnson, McCoy suspended
BASKETBALL: Officials refuse to comment; investigation to
follow
By Traci Mack
Daily Bruin Senior Staff
The UCLA basketball team, which has experienced trials of
Job-like proportions over the past 12 months, was dealt yet another
blow this week.
On Monday, UCLA Athletic Director Peter Dalis announced that
forward Kris Johnson and center Jelani McCoy have been suspended
indefinitely from the team. They refused to give the reason,
however.
In recent years, Johnson has reportedly been involved in several
altercations. The most recent of these is an incident which
allegedly took place in Saxon Residential Suites on Sept. 22, at
approximately 9 p.m. Police reports confirm that the incident
occurred, but do not name the parties involved. No connection has
been made between the incident and the suspension.
A Saxon Suites resident reports having witnessed an altercation
that night which allegedly involved Johnson, McCoy and several
other basketball players. Four other men, none of whom are students
of UCLA, were also reportedly involved.
Due to the suspension, the two players will not be allowed to
participate in any team activities. However, they may be reinstated
after a thorough review of the events surrounding the suspension,
according to officials. University policy does not allow the
athletic department to discuss details of the suspension.
"(The suspension) is an unfortunate circumstance for the two
young men," Dalis said, "but we expect all of our student-athletes
to follow our policies. Both of them know the goals they must meet
before we will consider reinstating them to the team. We will not
discuss those goals or any timetable for reinstatement
publicly."
Teammates refused to comment on the situation, while head coach
Steve Lavin would only say, "Kris and Jelani have the support of
our basketball family, as well as of the athletic department.
"My hope is that they will do what is required of them so that
we will be able to consider reinstating them at a later date,"
Lavin added.
The Saxon Suites resident, who arrived on the scene after the
fight began, claims that members of the basketball team were
standing in front of a female resident’s door, when four other men
came to visit the woman. The UCLA players then allegedly blocked
entry to the room. When one man bumped into Johnson while trying to
get by, the observer said, Johnson reportedly shoved the man and a
fight involving several of the others ensued.
Following policy, resident assistants in Saxon called the UC
Police Department (UCPD), the source said. All parties involved in
the incident left the scene before officers arrived. No arrests
were made.
The witness could not confirm what role McCoy played in the
incident.
The source also alleges that an assistant coach was at the
scene. No officials were available to confirm this as of press time
Monday night.
Johnson played in 31 of 32 games last season despite a nagging
ankle injury, mainly coming off the bench. He averaged 10.3 points
and 3.0 rebounds and led the Pac-10 in free throw percentage
(83.5). In his sophomore year, Johnson started 21 of 31 games and
averaged 12.5 points and 4.4 rebounds while shooting .569 on his
field goal attempts.
McCoy made an immediate impact upon his arrival in Westwood. In
his freshman campaign, McCoy averaged 10.2 points and 6.9 rebounds
while shooting 67.6 percent from the field and setting a school
record with 102 blocked shots. Last season, McCoy started 28 of 32
games and set a Pac-10 record with a 75.6 shooting percentage. His
career shooting percentage of 71.6 percent is both a school and
conference record.
"Obviously, they were a key part of our nucleus for the upcoming
season," Lavin said. "Our two remaining seniors – Toby Bailey and
J.R. Henderson – will have to lead what is suddenly a very young
team, but we are used to overcoming adversity."
UCLA Sports Information
Jelani McCoy
UCLA Sports Information
Kris Johnson