University of Oklahoma Athletics

Raymond Suspended From Men's Basketball Team

February 23, 2001 | Men's Basketball

By: Athletics Communications

Feb. 23, 2001

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - University of Oklahoma men's basketball junior J.R. Raymond has been suspended from the team indefinitely, Head Coach Kelvin Sampson announced today. Raymond did not travel with the team to Maryland on Thursday.

"J.R. violated team policy and his penalty is suspension," commented Sampson. "It's a matter that we are handling internally. I have not yet made a determination regarding the length of the suspension, but he will not play tomorrow against Maryland."

Raymond, who ranks fourth on the team with his 11.3 scoring average, has been OU's main offensive threat over the past 10 games since he was moved to point guard and leads the team in conference games with his 13.7 points per outing. The Sooners have posted a 9-1 record during the stretch with the help of Raymond's 18.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 3.9 three-pointers per game. He has led the team in scoring in six of those 10 outings. Thirty-nine of his team-high 58 treys (67 percent) have come over the last 10 games, as have 185 of his 282 points (66 percent). He sports a .400 season three-point percentage.

A native of Gastonia, N.C., Raymond was a member of last year's Big 12 All-Newcomer Team when he averaged 13.4 points, 3.4 assists and 1.4 steals as a sophomore. He also made 95 three-pointers, the second most in OU single-season history.

Sampson said sophomore Hollis Price will take over starting point guard duties and that senior guard Kelley Newton will likely start versus Maryland tomorrow. Price was OU's starting point guard in its first 16 games this season and has led the squad in assists in 20 of its 26 contests. Newton, who has started 10 games this year but has come off the bench the last 13, is averaging 8.9 points and 2.2 three-point makes per game.

The Sooners enter weekend play with a 21-5 overall record and a 10-4 Big 12 mark, good for second place in the league. OU, ranked 16th in the AP poll and 15th in the ESPN/USA Today version, conclude the regular season with home games versus Colorado (Wednesday at 8 p.m.) and Oklahoma State (next Saturday at 8 p.m.).

Related News

Skip Ad
All News
Lucas McKay OU men's basketball General Manager graphic; McKay headshot with OU logo, Jumpman logo; Text: Lucas McKay, Men's Basketball General Manager.
OU Hires Lucas McKay as Men's Basketball General Manager
Monday, April 06
Kai Rogers in red uniform goes up for a basket amid defenders from West Virginia during the College Basketball Crown championship game at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on Sunday, April 5, 2026
OU Falls in Overtime in Hunt for the Crown
Sunday, April 05
Nijel Pack runs through teammates lined up on either side of the bench during team introductions at the College Basketball Crown tournament at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada
For the Crown: OU Meets West Virginia in Sunday's Title Game
Sunday, April 05
Derrion Reid in red uniform goes up for a layup around a Baylor defender in white uniform at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
OU Strong on Both Ends in 82-69 Crown Semifinals Win Over Baylor
Saturday, April 04
All News
Skip Ad

Related Videos

Skip Ad
All Videos
Porter Moser Postgame vs West Virginia
Sunday, April 05
MBB Highlights: OU 82, Baylor 69
Saturday, April 04
Porter Moser, Xzayvier Brown, and Tae Davis Postgame vs Baylor
Saturday, April 04
Porter Moser and Nijel Pack Postgame vs Colorado
Thursday, April 02
All Videos