Oregon State dismisses center Giles from team

CORVALLIS, Ore. -- Center C.J. Giles was dismissed from the Oregon State team on Monday, interim coach Kevin Mouton's first day on the job.

No reason was given for the decision, but Giles was benched for the Jan. 3 game against Arizona because he was late more than once for practice.

Giles, who played his high school ball in Seattle, read a statement to the Seattle Times over the telephone on Monday. He said Mouton and athletic director Bob De Carolis told him he was off the team because they wanted a fresh start.

"In the past here I have not been perfect, but I have tried really hard and I have gotten things together academically. I have also accepted responsibility when things have not been perfect," Giles said in the statement posted on the newspaper's website.

"This came as a shock to me as no one had addressed this with me or let me know that I had done something that would cause me to be released from the team."

The 6-foot-11 Giles played in 10 games for Oregon State (6-12, 0-6 Pac-10), averaging 6.3 points and 5.6 rebounds. Giles began his collegiate career at Kansas, but was dismissed from that team before the 2006-07 season for what coach Bill Self called "a pattern of irresponsible behavior and disrespect for team rules."

Giles did not play for Oregon State until Dec. 8 because of NCAA transfer rules. He started six of his 10 games.

Mouton took over the Beavers late Sunday after the firing of coach Jay John. John tried to recruit Giles when he was in high school and hoped he could get his career back on track in Corvallis.