TM

SoCal College News Report

ESPN Says McCoy Out For Good;
Fred Roggin Says No Decision Yet-(November 3, 1997)

ESPN is reporting that UCLA junior center Jelani McCoy, suspended "indefinitely" for violating team rules, "reportedly" will not be reinstated for the upcoming season. ESPN reported, without citing its sources, Monday night that McCoy, who averaged 10.9 points and 6.5 rebounds while shooting 76 percent from the field last season, will not rejoin the team.

ESPN also said that Kris Johnson, suspended with McCoy, "may be reinstated." UCLA spokesman Marc Dellins told KNBC local sports reporter Fred Roggin that "there has been no determination one way or the other."

"They have to do certain things and not do certain things by a certain time," Dellins said.

This ESPN "news story" may just be another bogus report. Sort of like that "official" fax received by two local sports radio guys, "The Sports Gods", which was reported tonight as "breaking news": That the Lakers had reached agreement to trade "Eddie Jones and Sean Rooks to the Sacramento Kings for Mitch Richmond and a future first round draft pick." Gee, the fax had the Laker's official logo and everything. What? You mean it's a fake? No way.

ESPN's background on the story included the following tidbits, none of which had anything to do with the suspensions:

Buoyed by McCoy and Johnson, UCLA -- guided by first-year coach Steve Lavin -- reached the Midwest Regional final last season, losing to Minnesota. The players were suspended by the athletic department Sept. 29 and are not permitted to participate in any team activities.

McCoy (6'-9") started 28 of 32 games last season, blocked 61 shots, and was only 8 baskets short of being the NCAA season leader in field-goal percentage. The Johnson's role is really as "sixth man", and he playes both small forward and shooting guard. He is the son of former Bruin and NBA star Marques Johnson. Kris averaged 10.3 ppg and 3.0 rebounds in 31 games last season, and was the Pac-10 free-throw leader.

So far, another "non-news" news story.

©This site copyright SoCalHoops 1997
All rights reserved
Questions? Comments? Need Information?
Contact: jegesq@SoCalHoops.com