UMKC’s Martez Harrison suspended indefinitely for violating ‘athletics department policy’

UMKC’s second-leading scorer, senior guard Martez Harrison, has been suspended from the men’s basketball team indefinitely after a “violation of athletics department policy.”

Head coach Kareem Richardson would not disclose details of what led to the suspension but said he was made aware of the misbehavior on Sunday.

Harrison sat out Monday night’s game against Southeast Missouri, which UMKC won 86-75.

When asked if Harrison was involved in a legal issue, Richardson said the incident was “just some breaking athletic policies and conduct things — nothing that will get him in too big of trouble.”

The suspension came down from the athletic department, according to Richardson, and UMKC chancellor Leo E. Morton had been made aware of the situation.

Richardson placed no timeline on the duration of the suspension but said Harrison definitely would not play this week.

UMKC plays South Dakota Wednesday night and at South Dakota State on Saturday.

“We’re just trying to gather all the information and all the facts with everything,” Richardson said. “Certainly he won’t play this week, but hopefully we’ll know within a week or so.”

Harrison is averaging 16.5 points through seven games, second only to teammate LaVell Boyd (19.1). The Roos are 5-2 this season.

“The coaches, they’re going to continue to harp on us to do what we need to do,” Boyd said. “It’ll be tough because he’s a main focus and a main piece of our team, but we can’t let that get to us.”

This story was originally published November 29, 2016 at 2:37 PM with the headline "UMKC’s Martez Harrison suspended indefinitely for violating ‘athletics department policy’."