Jamar Smith Off The Team

IN A PRESS RELEASE FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT: University of Illinois basketball coach Bruce Weber announced this evening that junior guard Jamar Smith has been dismissed from the men¹s basketball team for violating terms of his agreement for a possible return to the team following an alcohol-related car accident in February 2007.

     ³Jamar¹s decision to violate the terms of our personal agreement for his potential return to our basketball program has left me with no other recourse but to rescind that opportunity,² said Weber.

 ³At this time, Jamar and his family need to focus their attention on the issues that have brought Jamar to this point. For the good of our program and players we need to move forward and prepare for the 2008-09 season. While Jamar will always be a part of the Illinois basketball family, I have made the decision that he can no longer be a part of our team. Our entire team and coaching staff are obviously very disappointed he will not be with us. We will continue to do everything we can to help him continue his academic career and achieve his goal of graduation.²

    Because of the ongoing legal and personal nature of this situation, this statement will be the only comment released regarding this situation. Smith, a native of Peoria, Ill., played in 53 games during his two years on the court, starting six times. He scored a total of 425 points for an average of 8.0 per game.