Illini basketball coach suspends Paul

Sophomore Darius Paul, a former basketball star at Warren Township High School in Gurnee, has been suspended for the upcoming season, Illini head basketball coach John Groce announced Tuesday.

"After a thorough review of Darius' year, which includes multiple transgressions, I am suspending Darius from all team-related activities for the entire 2014-15 season," Groce said. "As head coach, my concerns are always what is best for the University of Illinois, what is best for the men's basketball program, and what is best for our student-athletes as people. I feel this penalty is necessary to help Darius as a person. We will continue to support him through this process."

Paul, the younger brother of former Illinois star Brandon Paul, was a double-figures scorer in his one season at Western Michigan before transferring to Illinois. A 6-foot-8, 220-pound forward, Paul has three years of eligibility remaining.

According to a report by the Daily Illini newspaper, Paul was arrested last month of charges of resisting an officer and underage consumption of alcohol. He has a May 16 court date pending those charges.