Florida has suspended senior guard Scottie Wilbekin indefinitely for a violation of team rules, the school announced Monday.
The 6-foot-2 Wilbekin averaged 9.1 points and 5.0 assists, second in the SEC, last season when the Gators finished 29-8.
Wilbekin missed the start of the 2012-13 season with his first suspension, which included the season opener against Georgetown on an aircraft carrier docked across from Charleston, S.C.. That game was never completed because of unsafe court conditions.
Florida lost guards Mike Rosario and Kenny Boynton, but returns Michael Frazier and brings in Kasey Hill, a dynamic five-star point guard who played with Frazier at Montverde (FL) Academy.
Rutgers transfer Eli Carter is also hoping to get a waiver to play immediately in the wake of the Mike Rice scandal.
“With Wilbekin being down, Eli brings experience to the backcout,” Sports U coach Brian Coleman told SNY.tv.
“He also brings a toughness and an ability to score from beyond the arc and get in the lane. I’m looking forward to watching Eli grow as a player under coach [Billy] Donovan].”
(The AP contributed)