The Kansas Jayahawks’ season is set to begin on November 8th against Louisiana-Monroe. However, CBS Sports is reporting that the Jayhawks will be short one of their key players. On Tuesday after their exhibition game against the Pitt State, Coach Bill Self announced that junior Naadir Tharpe will be suspended for the game.
During offseason, Tharpe played in an unauthorized summer league game in Chicago while visiting his teammate Jamari Traylor. Student athletes are only allowed to play pro-am in their hometown or college city. Bill Self addressed the issue to the media and stated:
“That’s the penalty for playing in a game he knew he shouldn’t have been playing in, but didn’t use good judgment. So it’s a one-for-one deal, and that’s the situation.”
“So we self-reported that because he didn’t get prior approval, which he would not have gotten because it wasn’t in his area. It’s a game for a game.”
Tharpe was expected to be the Jayhawks starter at point guard, but freshman Frank Mason will get the nod while Tharpe is serving his punishment.