Wednesday, January 28, 1998
Rumors of re-suspension annoy McCoy
M. BASKETBALL Silence is golden as questions continue to plague
center
By Emmanuelle Ejercito
Daily Bruin Senior Staff
"All I can say is that he is on the team," UCLA head coach Steve
Lavin said as questions were fired about the status of junior
center Jelani McCoy.
Rumors have swirled around McCoy concerning a possible
re-suspension from the team. And if McCoy was to be suspended
again, chances are he would be gone for the rest of the season. The
rumors began to surface right before the California game on Jan.
15.
UCLA will not comment on the situation other than to say he is
currently on the team. If the rumors are unfounded, many may wonder
why UCLA won’t simply deny them. But there are legal reasons for
the silence, namely the Federal Family Educational Rights and
Privacy Act.
The University is only allowed to release certain student
information. This includes the student’s name, address, telephone
number, date and place of birth, major, dates of attendance, number
of course units enrolled, degrees and honors received, most recent
previous educational institutions attended, participation in
officially recognized activities and the name, height and weight of
those participating in intercollegiate athletics.
"It doesn’t matter whether it is true or not," said UCLA Vice
Chancellor of Legal Affairs Joseph Mandel. "(By) disclosing
information about a student-athlete outside of the categories
described (in UC policy) you have violated his privacy rights.
"Whether there is or is not something going on with Jelani
McCoy, the University cannot tell you unless Jelani McCoy tells
you."
And what does McCoy have to say?
"I’m not going to answer any more questions unless it’s about
basketball," an annoyed McCoy said. "I’m on the team right now, I’m
practicing. I don’t know how many times you need to see me practice
or suit up."
However, when asked if he expects to finish the season, McCoy
nodded his head in the affirmative.
Fuel was added to the fire surrounding McCoy’s status during the
Louisville game. Freshman Travis Reed, the Bruins’ only post player
aside from J.R. Henderson and McCoy, saw considerable playing time
in last Sunday’s game.
Reed played a total of 14 minutes, the same amount of time that
McCoy spent on the hardwood.
Was Lavin giving Reed more playing time in order to prepare Reed
for the bigger role he would have to play with McCoy off the team?
Not really. The reason was more basic than that.
"(McCoy) seemed to struggle in (the Louisville) game," Lavin
said. "(McCoy) played limited minutes because Travis was playing
really well. And down the stretch as we were losing the lead we
were trying different combinations … and Travis had really given
us the spark in the first half, and so we went back to him."
McCoy was suspended from the team on Sept. 29 for violating team
and university rules. After following guidelines set forth by the
athletic department, McCoy was reinstated on Dec. 23 and played his
first game of the 1997-98 season on Dec. 30 against Illinois.
Aside from his two point, three turnover game against the
Cardinals, McCoy has been productive for the Bruins since his
return. The 6-10 junior averaged 11 points and 7.6 rebounds.
"It’s definitely taking its toll, I mean I’m getting tired of
hearing it, but there’s nothing I can do about that," McCoy said
after the Louisville game. "I think that it would take its toll on
anybody to hear (the rumors) everyday, but like I said, there’s
nothing I can do about it, just weather the storm and go on.
"I definitely know how (Clinton) feels."