College basketball doesn't have many 7-footers, and one of them just got kicked off his team.
Sophomore Robert Upshaw, who averaged 4.1 points and 3.8 rebounds as a freshman with the Bulldogs last season, has been removed from the team. This according to a report in the Fresno Bee late Wednesday. Upshaw was a highly touted recruit that Bulldogs coach Rodney Terry -- entering his third season with the program -- landed despite offers from much bigger schools.
Citing a third violation of athletic department policy, Upshaw was shown the door. He was suspended for three games in February and then again at season's end. Fresno State finished 11-19 in the Mountain West last season.
From the report:
"Fresno State Director of Athletics Thomas Boeh announced Wednesday that Bulldog men's basketball student-athlete Robert Upshaw has been dismissed from the team for violations of Athletic Department policy. Upshaw was informed of his dismissal Wednesday afternoon. This will be Fresno State's only comment on the matter."
Terry isn't talking, but it's a big move for a coach/program to do this. Upshaw arguably could've eventually been the factor to get Fresno State out of the basement, and now Terry's saying by way of his actions that the team will go on and try to win without its heralded big man.
Then again, this could be an easier move than some might think. Between two suspensions and a knee injury last fall, Upshaw played in just 22 of the Bulldogs' games last year and averaged just over 16 minutes. Upshaw's mother told the Bee her son and the family were "already in motion" in finding a new place for her son to play. Upshaw was also recruited by Pac-12 schools California, USC and Washington.
