A week after he was suspended from the Arizona men’s basketball team, the status of freshman center Sidiki Johnson still remains unclear. Johnson was suspended for a violation of team policy and is currently in Arizona, according to the Tucson Citizen.
After the Wildcats lost to San Diego State on Wednesday, head coach Sean Miller said that Johnson’s standing was still undecided. Miller said Johnson’s status would be determined “in the next couple of weeks.”
Miller hinted that Johnson’s troubles were something that could be worked out.
“Like all of our four freshmen, there’s a transition from high school,” Miller said in his press conference on Nov. 21. “He’s working through transition.”
Since then, however, it seems as though Johnson’s time at Arizona wouldn’t last much longer.
“We have an agreement and if he meets the agreement he could potentially be reinstated,” Miller said on Wednesday after Arizona’s 61-57 loss to San Diego State.
When asked if he was optimistic that Johnson would meet the requirements of the agreement, Miller said, “No.”
Johnson was slated to return to Arizona this weekend. He did not return with the team after its participation in the 2K Sports Classic in New York City on Nov. 18.
Johnson, a 6-foot-8, 235-pound forward from the Bronx, has played seven total minutes and appeared in three games for the Wildcats this season. He averages 0.3 points per game and has one block and two rebounds on the season.
Johnson’s history of behavioral problems in high school has now followed him to the collegiate level. He was dismissed from his high school team, Oak Hill Academy, by coach Steve Smith for an unspecified violation of team rules. Johnson had previously played with St. Raymond’s (in the Bronx), and then at St. Benedict’s (Newark, N.J.) before arriving at Oak Hill. After his dismissal from Oak Hill, Johnson attended Wadleigh High School in New York City.
According to the Arizona Daily Star, Arizona would not automatically release Johnson until he finishes his fall semester to keep his eligibility. If Johnson then elects to transfer, it would keep his eligibility to play for another school and it wouldn’t cost the Wildcats an Academic Progress Rate point.
