One of the top big men in the Pac-12, University of Washington’s Robert Upshaw, was dismissed from the program Monday following a violation of team rules. Upshaw, a former Fresno State transfer, was averaging 10.9 points, 8.2 rebounds and 4.4 blocks per game prior to the punishment, but had reportedly failed several drug tests while at both of the schools. Still, the cause of his latest punishment remains unclear, however, more news regarding the incident should be released as the week unfolds.
“We wish Rob well as he moves forward in his life, and we will do our best to support him in the future,” Washington coach Lorenzo Romar said in a statement.
With off-the court problems consistently stealing headlines, the University of Washington athletic department didn’t show much leniency with their star big man. Prior to his dismissal, many NBA scouts saw Upshaw as a mid-first round talent and was quickly rising up NBA teams big boards. Now, fresh off his second major run-in with school law, Upshaw will more than likely fall out of the first round and maybe the entire draft all together, throwing away millions of potential earnings.
Drugs have always been a major problem for college athletes, and the most recent case could prove detrimental to any chances the Huskies had at earning a bid for the 2015 NCAA Tournament. Even with Upshaw in the lineup, Washington (13-5) had struggled thus far in Pac-12 play (3-4) and most recently suffered a loss to the Utah Utes Saturday. Nonetheless, the Huskies will have several opportunities to display to the NCAA Tournament committee that the team has not taken a step down without Upshaw and hope to become eligible for the 2015 NCAA Tournament. That process begins Wednesday when the team squares off against the equally as talented Stanford Cardinal.
*Section Photo credit to Ethan Miller, Getty Images; Featured Photo (above) credit to Joe Nicholson, USA Today Sports.
