Graham kicked off LSU men's basketball team

• By GARY LANEY
• Advocate sportswriter
• Published: May 8, 2009

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LSU’s already thin men’s basketball roster for next season got even more depleted Thursday.

Coach Trent Johnson announced small forward Delwan Graham, a seldom-used reserve as a freshman on the 2009 Southeastern Conference championship squad, has been dismissed from the team.

“I will not renew Delwan Graham’s scholarship for next season, and he will not be with the team because of a violation of team rules,” Johnson said in a university news release.

Johnson did not say what the violation was.

Graham, a 6-foot-5, 215-pound forward from Dunwoody High School in Atlanta, averaged 1.7 points and 1.5 rebounds in 25 games last season.

His departure means LSU will lose at least six scholarship players from the 2009 team, including seniors Terry Martin, Quintin Thornton, Garrett Temple, Chris Johnson and Marcus Thornton.

Also, junior Tasmin Mitchell has declared his eligibility for the NBA draft but has not hired an agent. Johnson said Mitchell will work out for three NBA teams.

If Mitchell leaves, the only players LSU will have coming back from last year’s team will be starting point guard Bo Spencer and reserves Chris Bass, Storm Warren, Alex Farrer and walk-on Zack Kinsley. Also back will be two players who redshirted last season, Garrett Green and Dennis Harris.

LSU also signed two players in the early period, guard Aaron Dotson and forward Eddie Ludwig. The Tigers have picked up a transfer from Ole Miss in forward Malcolm White, but he must sit out next season and he can play in the 2010-2011 season.

The regular signing period continues through May 20.