Wednesday, November 5, 1997
Circulating rumors unfounded
STORY Suspensions remain in place; no official update has been
announced
By Mark Shapiro
Daily Bruin Staff
The rumor mill swirling around suspended UCLA basketball player
Jelani McCoy picked up speed this week, as published reports stated
that he had been permanently removed from the team.
Officials atop the program’s hierarchy, however, have given no
stock to these rumors and has maintained, in the words of UCLA head
coach Steve Lavin, "a guarded optimism" regarding the return of
McCoy and senior Kris Johnson. Both are indefinitely suspended for
undisclosed reasons.
"There has been absolutely no definitive decision at this point
on either Jelani or Kris," Lavin said. "We’re still on the same
plan as always; certain criteria have to be met. If they’re met, if
it’s met, there’s a possibility of them being reinstated; if not,
there’s a possibility they won’t be reinstated."
On Monday, the Long Beach Press-Telegram reported that McCoy had
failed his most recent drug test and had seen his career "come to
an abrupt conclusion." ESPN also reported that McCoy had been
permanently removed from the team. The Press-Telegram stated that
McCoy informed Lavin of the positive test on Monday.
Lavin says he last spoke to McCoy on Sunday.
"Nothing has changed except for the fact that somehow in the
media there was this idea," Lavin said on Tuesday. "It’s the same
status as before, they’re both indefinitely suspended. It’s to be
determined at a later point whether they’re to be reinstated."
ESPN’s report, which also surfaced on Monday, cited no sources,
while the Press-Telegram cited only an unidentified party. Such
vagaries have left the coaching staff puzzled over the
manifestation of the rumors.
Regarding the origin of these rumors, Lavin said. "If you know,
let me know because I’d like to know too."
Perhaps the most notable development in recent weeks has been
the way that the two players have dealt with their suspensions.
While both are on scholarship and living in the dorms with the rest
of the team, McCoy seems to be losing contact with teammates.
He has adopted a more reserved role, choosing to work out at a
health club and limiting relations with active players. Johnson, on
the other hand, has been as active as the terms of the suspension
allow him to be. He has been working out with team managers and
staying in contact with teammates and coach Lavin.
"I talk to Kris all the time," senior Toby Bailey said. " I
haven’t seen Jelani. He might be taking care of his business. When
the season starts and he’s not playing, that’s when I’ll know if he
handled his business or not. It’s not like this team is going to be
in disarray if he doesn’t come back."
"He’s a grown man, I can’t tell him what to do in his off time.
When it happened, I talked to him and that’s all I can do. I can’t
keep babying him. I told him ‘just handle your business’ and that’s
all I can do."
Senior J.R. Henderson, who was McCoy’s roommate last year, has
also been out of contact with him. The two, who were very close
during McCoy’s freshman year, have not made contact in some
time.
"I haven’t been around him that much," Henderson said. "I hope
he’s doing what he’s supposed to do and doing well. I try to not
put much pressure on him, so he can not feel overwhelmed and
concentrate on what he has to do."
Lavin, still feels assured that McCoy wants to rejoin the team,
regardless of his recent lack of interaction with players.
"Oh yeah, Jelani still wants to be a part of this basketball
team and basketball family."
Daily Bruin file photo
Jelani McCoy tries to fend off opposition during a game last
year against Arizona. He is currently suspended from the team.