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Vols dismiss senior star Smith after gun, drug incident
Tyler Smith.
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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."
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