Robert Upshaw dismissed from Men's Basketball program

Robert Upshaw has been dismissed from the University of Washington basketball team for "violation of team rules," Lorenzo Romar announced Monday.

The big man has had more than his fair share of issues off the court, stemming back to his time at Fresno State, where he was also dismissed for violating team rules. There were times last season when the big man wasn't even on the sidelines during home games (he was ineligible due to NCAA transfer rules) as he tended to what were deemed personal issues.

It is well-known that Upshaw has struggled with drug issues in the past, and it would be an easy thing to point to as the probable reason for his departure, but we simply do not know the details.

Upshaw was the nation's leading shot-blocker, and was a potential first-round pick in the NBA Draft if he could have kept his off-court issues behind him.

Lorenzo Romar tries to be a father figure to his recruits. He stuck by Venoy Overton when he had his run-ins with the law, and always does his best to try to help young men struggling in their lives. If Romar kicks a player off the team and is giving up on helping you, then there are some serious issues. I really hope Big Rob can get his life together before everything falls apart.

He had been averaging 10.9 points, 8.2 rebounds and 4.4 blocks per game as the nation's premier rim protector. His loss leaves Washington dangerously thin in the frontcourt, with the only big man remaining who has shown an ability to play at the Pac-12 level being Shawn Kemp Jr. with Jernard Jarreau already sideline. Expect to see minutes from Gilles Dierickx, expect to see Mike Anderson receive time playing at the four as well as Donaven Dorsey.

We will have more on the story if more details become available.