Three Matadors Draw Suspensions

Three Cal State Northridge basketball players, including returning point guard Trenton Cross, were suspended Thursday, two days before the beginning of practice.

Although Coach Bobby Braswell would not comment on the precise nature of the actions that led to the suspensions, he indicated the problems are associated with academics. Each player’s suspension is of a different length.

“These guys do have academic responsibilities that go beyond the university’s requirements,” Braswell said. “I’m not going to get into specifics.

“They are not guilty of the same offense, but they all did something that didn’t measure up to our standards.”

Cross, a senior starter who was most valuable player of the Big Sky Conference tournament last season, is suspended for one week of practice and for two exhibition games early in November.

Jeffrey Parris, a sophomore forward who sat out last season as a Prop. 48 player, will miss a week of practice and one exhibition game.

Parris, from Long Beach Jordan High, was the first player Braswell recruited when he became Northridge coach before last season.

Mike O’Quinn, a senior forward who sat out last season after transferring from Loyola Marymount, is suspended indefinitely.

O’Quinn has had academic problems in the past and was suspended for a week of practice last season even though he wasn’t eligible to play in games.

Braswell said O’Quinn could be back in two weeks, or his suspension could last much of the season.

The loss of Cross will impact the team the most during early workouts. A fourth-year player from Reseda High, he is counted upon for leadership as well as controlling action on the floor.

Parris and O’Quinn are expected to fight for starting jobs at forward, where Northridge has less experience than any position.

“We don’t compromise and we jump on things early,” Braswell said. “The punishment is appropriate for their actions. This is a men’s basketball suspension, not an athletic department or university suspension.”