White suspended for Arkansas game
When the LSU men’s basketball team faces Arkansas on Saturday at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center, senior forward Malcolm White will watch from the bench in street clothes.
LSU coach Trent Johnson has suspended White for one game following the 6-foot-9 reserve’s flagrant foul against Kentucky freshman Anthony Davis last weekend. White was ejected from the 70-54 loss after grabbing Davis from behind on a breakaway with 15:24 left and slinging him to the ground.
White, averaging 3.7 points and 2.4 rebounds, practiced with the team throughout the week.
He is expected to be back in uniform Wednesday when LSU plays at Vanderbilt.
“Whether he lost his composure or he wasn’t thinking, bottom line is that type of play doesn’t sit well with me,” Johnson said. “It’s over and done with. Hopefully, the next time he steps on the floor, he will feel comfortable about playing the game the way he’s capable of playing and move forward.”
Earlier this week, White wrote letters of apology to Kentucky coach John Calipari and Davis.
There was speculation White could receive further discipline from the Southeastern Conference office, but the SEC does not take action in such instances unless the “fighting rule” is invoked.
Johnson made it known from the beginning he would handle the matter himself.