Auburn, Ala.--Auburn junior forward Josh Dollard, who was expected to be Auburn's top offensive player for the 2008-2009 season, has been dismissed from the basketball team for violation of Auburn University Athletic Department policy, Coach Jeff Lebo said on Thursday.
"Auburn has supplied Josh with all the resources for him to be successful," Lebo said in a prepared statement. "Josh understood his requirements and responsibilities to be an Auburn student-athlete, and he has fallen short in fulfilling what was clearly communicated to him."
Josh Dollard was expected to be one of the team's top players for the 2008-2009 season.
Dollard took a leave of absence from the basketball team for "medical reasons" for the 2007-08 season and was redshirted. As a
sophomore in 2006-07, he was the Tigers' leading scorer and rebounder in averaging 12.5 points and 7.0 rebounds, respectively. In the final
five games of the season, the Hemingway, S.C., native averaged 15.6 points while shooting 54 percent from the field and 50 percent from
3-point range.
"I have had the opportunity to be successful on and off the court at Auburn," Dollard said. "Due to certain circumstances, I am unable to continue my career here at Auburn. I would like to thank
everyone who has been involved in my career at Auburn, and I would like to wish my teammates, coaching staff and Auburn family much success in
the future."
Dollard averaged 9.1 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.2 steals in 22.9 minutes per game as a freshman in 2005-06 while starting 12 of 23 games.
The forward scored a career-high 29 points and had eight rebounds vs. Jacksonville State and 18 points, five rebounds and three steals at
Colorado State. He missed the last five games of his freshman season and the first six games of his sophomore season after being suspended for violation of team rules.
Dollard, who has the option to remain in school at Auburn, is only 12 hours shy of finishing his degree. He would graduate in three
and a half years this December.
Earlier this year the Tigers lost another forward, Matt Heramb, who transferred to Kennesaw State in hopes of more playing time. The Tigers also lost center Boubacar Sylla, who was injured last year and redshirted as a freshman. He has transferred to Wyoming.
2008 Inside the Auburn Tigers Football Guide
Game Of My Life Auburn
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