Weber dismisses Smith

If Jamar Smith gets another chance to play basketball, it won't be at Illinois.

Coach Bruce Weber announced Thursday that Smith has been booted from the team.

"Jamar's decision to violate the terms of our personal agreement for his potential return to our basketball program," Weber said in a statement, "has left me with no other recourse but to rescind that opportunity."

The decision comes three days after Champaign County State's Attorney Julia Reitz issued an arrest warrant for Smith.

The junior guard allegedly violated his probation when a Champaign police officer smelled alcohol on Smith at 2:30 a.m. Friday.

Smith was placed on two years' probation - one of several legal penalties - after pleading guilty to aggravated DUI stemming from a one-car accident in February 2007 that injured teammate Brian Carlwell.

Had Smith fulfilled his legal obligations, Weber was eager to have him rejoin the team after sitting out last season.

Smith scored 23 points on 6-for-8 3-point shooting in just his eighth collegiate game (against UALR) and delivered 20 points against Air Force in his first NCAA Tournament game.

Those flashes of greatness, as well as his sterling practice performances over the last year, had coaches and fans salivating over Smith's planned return.

"At this time, Jamar and his family need to focus their attention on the issues that have brought Jamar to this point," Weber said. "For the good of our program and players we need to move forward and prepare for the 2008-09 season."