Marauders Reinstate Thomas but Cut Griffin

After suspending two players before the College of the Desert tournament last week, Antelope Valley College basketball Coach Newton Chelette said Tuesday that one, starting center Danny Griffin, has been permanently removed from the team.

Freshman point guard Dedan Thomas has rejoined the team after serving his tournament-long suspension.

Chelette declined to reveal why the players faced disciplinary action. Neither player could be reached for comment.

But Taft High Coach Jim Woodard, who coached Thomas in high school, said Thomas was suspended for missing a practice and that Griffin was dismissed for missing several practices.

Chelette said that Griffin, a 6-foot-8 freshman from Crenshaw High, will not have an opportunity to appeal the decision.

Griffin originally had planned to attend the University of Pittsburgh but failed to meet the NCAA’s Proposition 48 eligibility requirements and instead matriculated to Antelope Valley. He averaged 10.2 points and 5.5 rebounds per game.

“I certainly wish him well in what he does. He’s a great player, and it just didn’t work out,” Chelette said.

Thomas also came up short of Prop. 48 standards and was unable to attend Nevada Las Vegas, which had offered him a scholarship. Thomas, who is averaging 12.6 points and 10.2 assists for the Marauders (14-5), is expected to be back in the lineup Thursday at Chaffey.

Woodard said that after learning of the suspension, Thomas was contacted by several concerned parties, including UNLV Coach Jerry Tarkanian.

“Everybody told him that sometimes, people have to do things they don’t like to do,” Woodard said. “It’s a part of growing up, it’s part of being responsible. . . . He has to learn that even if he doesn’t want to go to practice he has to.”

Staff writer Steve Elling contributed to this story.