For the past few months, BYU fans around the country have wondered what would become of the 2011-12 BYU basketball team without former starters Jimmer Fredette and Jackson Emery. If anything, fans can now have a sliver of hope for the upcoming season: Brandon Davies is back.
The junior forward was readmitted to the university and reinstated to the basketball team on Friday afternoon, according to BYU university spokeswoman Carri Jenkins.
[media-credit name=”Luke Hansen” align=”alignright” width=”199″][/media-credit]Brandon Davies dunks over the Arizona Wildcats at EnergySolutions Arena last December. Davies will be returning to the BYU basketball team this winter after being suspended for an Honor Code violation in March.Davies was suspended because of an Honor Code violation back in March and withdrew from BYU in April.”I’m excited to be back at BYU and look forward to the future,” Davies said in a statement. “I’m grateful for this opportunity.”
Before Davies was suspended, the Cougars had beaten former Mountain West Conference rival San Diego State and moved up to No. 3 in the national rankings. Davies’ suspension for the rest of the season was announced before the team’s next game, which BYU lost 82-64 at home to New Mexico.
The Cougars also lost in the MWC Conference Championship game but made it to the Sweet 16 and finished with a 5-3 record without Davies. Although Davies was unable to play, he was allowed to attend the NCAA Tournament and supported his team from the bench.
The Provo native averaged 11.1 points, 6.2 rebounds and 1.5 assists in his 26 starts last season. Davies also earned All-MWC Honorable Mention honors.
Head coach Dave Rose said in a statement he is grateful to have Davies back on the team for the upcoming season.
[media-credit name=”Luke Hansen” align=”alignleft” width=”300″][/media-credit]Brandon Davies leads the team cheer before its historic game against San Diego State in January.“Our staff and our players are pleased that Brandon has been readmitted for the fall semester,” Rose said. “We’re excited to have him back on the team, and we look forward to a great season.”
[/media-credit]
[/media-credit]
