SEATTLE -- Four Washington players will miss the season
opener against Seattle Pacific after being suspended for playing in
unsanctioned summer games -- a secondary NCAA rules violation.
Guards Will Conroy and Tre Simmons and forwards Bobby Jones and
Jamaal Williams won't play in the Nov. 19 opener.
Simmons, who played in two unsanctioned games, also will sit out
Washington's Nov. 25 game against Utah in the Great Alaska
Shootout.
NCAA rules prohibit players from participating in outside
competition during the academic year. The rules define such
competition as any games that include a scorebook and game
officials.
"You can't do it," coach Lorenzo Romar said. "It was a minor
infraction. It's been taken care of. We'll move on."
Another player, former Huskies forward Anthony Washington,
played in two unsanctioned games. He transferred to Portland State
and will miss his first two games when he becomes eligible for the
Vikings.
Conroy, who averaged 12.3 points and 4.6 assists last season,
and Jones, who averaged 11.2 points and 4.9 rebounds, were starters
in 2003-04. Simmons averaged 10.8 points and 3.4 rebounds.
Williams, a transfer from New Mexico, sat out last season.
The players didn't believe they were violating the NCAA rule
because the games were loosely organized.
"Being a gym rat, you'll go to every gym just to play," Conroy
said. "They didn't even have any uniforms, but we misjudged it.
We'll accept the consequences. We're looking forward to getting
back to help our team."
Romar said the coaching staff received a tip about the players
and immediately reported the violation to Washington's compliance
office. The school investigated and reported the infraction to the
NCAA, which accepted the penalties.