IU drops three players from men's team
Thomas dismissed; Bassett, Ellis not reinstated
Indiana University has officially dropped three more players from last year’s men's basketball roster.
Forward DeAndre Thomas was dismissed from the program and will not
have his scholarship renewed, coach Tom Crean said in a statement.
Guards Armon Bassett and Jamarcus Ellis also will not return. Both were originally kicked off the team on March 31 by then-interim coach Dan Dakich.
Bassett was not reinstated for “failing to comply with university and athletic department guidelines.” No further explanation was given for Ellis’ departure.
“Before you build a team, you need to develop a family,” Crean said in a statement. “We will go through the learning process, feel some growing pains and experience some bumps in the road along the way. We need the Hoosier Nation to rally around this program as we go through these stages.
“Our staff is going to ensure that anyone who attends this university and wears the Indiana uniform will make this privilege among their highest priorities and not treat the opportunity as an entitlement. We fully expect our student-athletes to accept the responsibilities academically, athletically and socially that come with representing one of the top programs in college basketball history.”
The news comes one day after Crean announced freshman forward Eli Holman would not be returning.
IU has four players – Jordan Crawford, Brandon McGee, Kyle Taber and Brett Finkelmeier – left from last year’s roster.
For more on this story, see Saturday’s print editions of The Journal Gazette or visit www.journalgazette.net after 7 a.m. Saturday.
lpope@jg.net
Indiana’s biggest questions entering this season centered on its retooled defense.