Suspended Bruins to Miss Some Games

Kris Johnson and Jelani McCoy, the two basketball starters UCLA suspended indefinitely Monday, will sit out several games, even if they meet Athletic Director Peter Dalis’ criteria and timetable, according to sources close to the situation.

They say Johnson and McCoy probably will be reinstated after the fall quarter, which just started. In that case, the players would sit out at least the first five games--through the Dec. 13 home game against Cal State Fullerton.

UCLA sources say it is possible, however, that Johnson and McCoy could return to practice before then.

Responding to a published report that Johnson and McCoy tested positive for marijuana use after a UCLA-administered drug test--the school tests all of its student-athletes randomly--school spokesman Marc Dellins said:

“We won’t comment on any speculation in any of the media. The two young men have a right to their privacy. And it’s unfortunate that some people feel the need to speculate on the reasons for the suspensions.”

According to the official UCLA drug-testing protocol, it takes three positive tests for a student-athlete to be suspended.

The protocol states that after the third positive test, the athlete will be suspended for the “next scheduled contest” but does not indicate whether the athlete can be suspended for more games.

After a fourth positive test, the athlete is subject to immediate suspension, and the policy indicates that the player’s scholarship “may be terminated at the end of the quarter.” There is no mention of losing a scholarship after three positive tests.

According to the protocol, the school tests for, among other substances, anabolic steroids, stimulants and narcotics.

A UCLA spokesman said Johnson and McCoy are still on scholarship, although they cannot practice or participate in any team activities.

The count of positive drug tests is cumulative throughout a player’s career, according to the protocol.

The NCAA tests athletes only at championship events, and if an NCAA test comes up positive, that player is suspended for a year.

If an athlete does not show up for a scheduled test, that no-show is treated as a positive test, according to the drug-test protocol.

Johnson’s mother, Sabrina Sheran, said she considers the positive drug test report “totally out of range for me,” and added that her son had not mentioned that to her when she last spoke to him.

“As far as I’m concerned, it’s a rumor,” she said.

Johnson’s alleged involvement in various altercations has been raised as possibly linked to the suspension, including a reported on-court brawl with incoming freshman guard Earl Watson over the summer during a pickup game on campus.

“No, that’s not true,” Watson said Tuesday when asked about the report. “Kris was one of the main reasons why I came here. On my visits, he was real nice, real friendly. . . . He was the kind of guy I could count on if I needed help.”

In addition, Johnson is facing accusations from Jevon Hatcher, a UCLA junior, that Johnson spit at him then physically attacked him during an argument Saturday night at a Westwood restaurant.

“I was not threatening him in any way,” said Hatcher, who showed a reporter a large welt on his forehead and a black eye he said was caused by Johnson. “And he just started swinging.”

After the altercation was broken up, Hatcher said he ran into Johnson while walking back to his apartment. The two began arguing again and, according to Hatcher, Johnson threatened him.

But the two were separated by onlookers, including former UCLA player Ike Nwankwo, before any further escalation of the incident, Hatcher said.

Hatcher said he filed a complaint against Johnson with the UC Police Department on Tuesday, and a UCPD officer later confirmed it had been filed.

The veteran Bruin players, conditioned by previous intrigue, stayed away from the details and focused on the big picture.

“Sure, it’s disappointing,” said forward J.R. Henderson, who, along with Johnson and Toby Bailey, form the senior nucleus of the team. “[But] ever since I’ve been here, we always have to overcome something. It’s no big deal. We’re pretty much used to it.”

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Times Staff Writer Greg Sandoval contributed to this story.