Hopkins Dismissed From Men's Basketball Team - Examiner.com

Indianapolis (IN) - Butler basketball was dealt a blow on Wednesday afternoon when Chrishawn Hopkins was dismissed from the team.

The school announced shortly after five o'clock in Indianapolis that the junior guard was dismissed for violating team rules, although the exact reason was not specified.

Hopkins was supposed to be one of four returning starters for the Bulldogs this upcoming season.

The 6-foot-1 guard averaged 9.1 ppg in 2011-12.

The dismissal certainly will provide challenges for the Bulldogs this fall as they enter the Atlantic 10 Conference.

Rotnei Clarke will be sole experienced Butler backcourt player, although he has yet to play in a game at Butler.

Butler also returns sophomore point guard Jackson Aldridge and senior shooting guard Chase Stigall, as well as walk-on guard Alex Barlow and Elliott Kampen.

The 2012-13 team will now look to incoming freshman Kellen Dunham, Chris Harrison-Docks, and Devontae Morgan to play an important role for the Bulldogs.

The Bulldogs open exhibition play on October 27th against DePauw.

Official Press Release:

Junior Chrishawn Hopkins has been dismissed from the Butler men’s basketball team for violation of team rules, head coach Brad Stevens announced Wednesday (Sept. 12).

“I am sorry to have to announce that Chrishawn Hopkins has been dismissed from our team,” said Butler head coach Brad Stevens. “We consider it a privilege to represent Butler University as a member of our team. With that privilege, comes a requirement and responsibility to meet the standard of our team rules.”

Hopkins was one of four returning starters from last year’s Butler team. The 6-1 guard from Manual High School played in all 37 Butler games a year ago, including 24 as a starter. He finished third on the team in scoring (9.1 ppg) and third in assists (56).

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Update 6pm CST - Response from the family of Chrishawn Hopkins via the Indianapolis Star:

Here’s a statement from Vince Stennett, guardian of Chrishawn Hopkins, who was dismissed from the Butler basketball team today for a violation of team rules:

“It’s with extreme regret that we were informed today that Chrishawn was released from the Butler Men’s Basketball Program. His dismissal was due to a repeat violation of team rules and standards. Although the mistakes he’s made were enough to constitute his dismissal from the program … These mistakes will not define who Chrishawn is as a person or a player. He will move forward and accept these mistakes as life lessons. We would like to thank the Butler Athletic Department, Coaches, Players and Administrators for the opportunity. Additionally, on behalf of our family, we extend our deepest and sincerest apologies to everyone whom this impacts.”