The Lady Vols have dismissed senior guard Ruby Whitehorn from the team, the University of Tennessee announced Sunday afternoon.
In a statement, head coach Kim Caldwell explained her decision to dismiss Whitehorn, who was charged with simple possession of marijuana following a traffic stop early Thursday in Knoxville, according to ESPN.
That charge came shortly after Tennessee’s 148–48 exhibition win over Columbus State.
On Sunday, Caldwell called the move a “sad situation” but said maintaining the program’s standards was non-negotiable.
“We have standards in this program, and it’s a sad situation,” Caldwell said. “It’s a difficult situation. I feel bad for this current team that we have, and time will tell if it’s the right choice for this team, but I have no doubt that it’s the right choice for the team four or five years from now.”
Caldwell said she addressed the team briefly about the decision.
“We have four practices to get ready to go to NC State, and that’s what we’re focused on,” she said.
The dismissal follows an earlier incident in August, when Whitehorn was charged with aggravated burglary and domestic assault after an altercation outside a woman’s residence, according to ESPN. She was suspended after the arrest and later reinstated in September after pleading guilty to two misdemeanors in exchange for judicial diversion.
Whitehorn’s production will be difficult to replace. She shot 46 percent from the field and 29 percent from three-point range last season.
Caldwell said replacing her will take a collective effort.
“She’s not a player that one person can step up and replace in a day,” Caldwell said. “Everyone is going to have to give us more — more from our scorers, our role players, and our leaders. It’s going to have to be by committee.”
Whitehorn took to social media on Sunday to acknowledge her departure from the team.
