Johnson, McCoy suspended

Published: Tuesday, September 30, 1997

Tuesday, September 30, 1997

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