| | GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Auburn officials sent leading scorer
Chris Porter back to campus before Sunday's game against Florida
after learning of possible contact between the player and an agent.
Auburn coach Cliff Ellis got word of the investigation late
Saturday and sent Porter home. He did not play in Auburn's (No. 8 ESPN/USA Today, No. 11 AP) 88-59 loss to No. 9 Florida.
"My hope is that he'll state whatever the circumstances are, be
forthright and honest about it," Ellis said. "Then, if there's a
mistake being made, hopefully, he'll admit it. He's certainly been
good for the college game. I hope they'll allow him to come back
and continue to contribute to a game he made a choice to come back
to."
Auburn athletics director David Housel said the school learned
that Porter possibly had contact with an agent or an agent's
representative.
"Until the issue is resolved, we will withhold Chris from
competition," Housel said. "We will resolve this matter as soon
as possible."
From the looks of Sunday's game, the Tigers need Porter back.
Without Porter, and with injuries that hampered the
effectiveness of Mamadou N'diaye and Daymeon Fishback, Auburn
matched its worst loss of the season.
Porter came out of junior college last year and sparked a
turnaround at Auburn, averaging 16 points and eight rebounds a game
to lift the Tigers to their first NCAA tournament in 11 seasons.
He was considered a possible first-round pick after last season,
but a loss in the round of 16 of the tournament compelled him to
stay for his senior year.
That, more than anything, is what confuses Ellis as he contemplates trying to make a tournament run without the preseason All-America.
"He's a young man who turned away the NBA last year and a young
man who has worked so hard and is on target to get his degree this
summer," Ellis said.
The coach awoke the players early Sunday morning to inform them
that their teammate wouldn't be with them.
"All we can do is pray his situation will get worked out and he'll come back," guard Doc Robinson said.
Porter's alleged problem is nothing new to college basketball. Recently, players at UCLA, St. John's and Cincinnati and Michigan have been investigated for possible improper dealings with agents or other sources.
"This is not a new situation in this sport," Ellis said. "A
lot of it has to do with kids coming out of high school, coming out
of college early. You just have to hope they don't have a weak
moment. There are leeches out there and you can't let them come out
there and suck on you."
Porter is averaging 14.6 points and 7.3 rebounds per game. He
has played well lately, averaging 16 points and seven rebounds
since Southeastern Conference play began.
His loss will be felt on the court. It also served a warning off of it.
"The thing I learned is that you have to make sure you
associate with the right people," Robinson said. "If you do that,
you'll be all right."
| |
ALSO SEE
Porter problem could derail Auburn; Florida romps by 29
AUDIO/VIDEO
 Cliff Ellis wants to Chris Porter back in the game.
wav: 275 k
RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6
 |
