NCAA News Wire
Report: Louisville dismissed Jones over threat to woman
Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than four decades in the industry (print and digital media). A freelance writer/stay-at-home dad since 2008, Hawkins started his career with newspaper stints in Michigan, North Carolina, Florida, Upstate New York and Illinois, where he earned the 2004 APSE first-place award for column writing (under 40,000 circulation). As a beat writer, he covered NASCAR Winston Cup events at NHIS (1999-2003), the NHL's Chicago Blackhawks (2003-06) and the NFL's Carolina Panthers (2011-12). Hawkins penned four youth sports books, including a Michael Jordan biography. Hawkins' main hobbies include mountain bike riding, 5k trail runs at the Whitewater Center in Charlotte, N.C., and live music.
All posts by Jeff HawkinsUpdated15 Oct 2021
Chris Jones, the former starting point guard for 12th-ranked Louisville, was dismissed from the team because he allegedly threatened his girlfriend in a text message last week, according to a report by university police released Monday.
The woman had “messed up” his room in his apartment, and he sent her a text saying he would “smack” her, according to the report. It apparently was the final straw for coach Rick Pitino, who dismissed Jones on Sunday, telling the Louisville Courier-Journal, “He’s finished. There won’t be any comment.”
Jones plans to visit former coach John Lucas soon to work on anger management and other ADHD symptoms, a source told The Courier-Journal. Lucas manages a program in Houston that helps athletes overcome drug abuse, anger management and other personal issues.
Jones was suspended for Louisville’s loss to Syracuse on Wednesday and was reinstated for a 55-53 victory over Miami on Saturday in which he scored 17 points in 36 minutes.
Jones, a senior who transferred from junior college last season, was averaging 13.7 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.6 assists this season.
Jones was also a standout defender and was a key part of the Cardinals’ pressure defense.
Freshman Quentin Snider, who scored 13 points in 38 minutes in the loss to Syracuse, has taken Jones’ spot in the starting lineup.
Louisville (21-5) faced Georgia Tech on Monday.
