Oregon basketball dismisses three players investigated in assault case

Three Oregon basketball players have been dismissed from the team after being investigated but not charged in an alleged sexual assault.

The players -- Damyean Dotson, 19, Dominic Artis, 19, and Brandon Austin, 18 -- were suspended for conduct not befitting student athletes, the University of Oregon announced Friday at a news conference.

The decision was made based on allegations made by a female student who accused the players of assaulting her at a postgame party and at an apartment in March.

After an investigation by the Lane County districty attorney’s office, it was determined there was not enough evidence for criminal charges against the three players.

The move came a day after students and staff members protested the school’s handling of the situation at a rally, marching to the president’s office while chanting, “We want answers” and holding copies of the student newspaper with the headline, “We need to talk about rape.”

“Waiting a month or more to make a statement about something like this gives the strong message on the part of the school that they care a lot more about people who bring in money or who are powerful politically or social than people who aren’t,” student Claire Aubin said.

Oregon had been made aware of the allegations but was asked not to interfere with the police investigation by taking any immediate action. Two of the players went on to play for the Ducks in the NCAA tournament.

Dotson averaged 9.4 points and 3.2 rebounds in 23.8 minutes a game last season. Artis had 4.1 points and 2.2 assists in 16.9 minutes a game. According to the Providence Journal, Austin transferred to Oregon after being suspended from the Providence College basketball team when he was accused of sexually assaulting a student there.