Black Suspended Six Games
Illini forward will miss first six games of 2016-17 season
Champaign, ILL.–Illinois head coach John Groce announced Friday that sophomore forward Leron Black has been reinstated to the team and will serve a six-game suspension to open the 2016-17 season, sitting out both exhibition contests and the first four regular season match-ups.
“Leron used extremely poor judgment on the night of Feb. 18,” Groce said. “He has taken responsibility for his actions, showing remorse and growing as a person from this situation. He will now begin the process of earning his way back to full status with the team, participating in offseason skill, strength and conditioning workouts. The decision to suspend him for six games next season is firm, but fair. The expectation moving forward is that he makes championship choices daily.”
“I regret my actions and am sorry to those I have hurt,” Black said. “I knew right away that I had made a serious mistake, and I apologize to my family for the disruption and embarrassment this has caused them, and for the negative light that has been cast upon our basketball program. This has been a very difficult time in my life because of the pain that comes from knowing I let so many people down. I have learned a lot about myself in the months that have passed, and one positive to draw from this is I know I stand here today a better person. I am committed to regaining the trust of everyone, including my teammates, coaches and Illini fans.”
Illini forward will miss first six games of 2016-17 season
Champaign, ILL.–Illinois head coach John Groce announced Friday that sophomore forward Leron Black has been reinstated to the team and will serve a six-game suspension to open the 2016-17 season, sitting out both exhibition contests and the first four regular season match-ups.
“Leron used extremely poor judgment on the night of Feb. 18,” Groce said. “He has taken responsibility for his actions, showing remorse and growing as a person from this situation. He will now begin the process of earning his way back to full status with the team, participating in offseason skill, strength and conditioning workouts. The decision to suspend him for six games next season is firm, but fair. The expectation moving forward is that he makes championship choices daily.”
“I regret my actions and am sorry to those I have hurt,” Black said. “I knew right away that I had made a serious mistake, and I apologize to my family for the disruption and embarrassment this has caused them, and for the negative light that has been cast upon our basketball program. This has been a very difficult time in my life because of the pain that comes from knowing I let so many people down. I have learned a lot about myself in the months that have passed, and one positive to draw from this is I know I stand here today a better person. I am committed to regaining the trust of everyone, including my teammates, coaches and Illini fans.”
