ATLANTA – Glen Rice Jr. was kicked off the Georgia Tech basketball team Tuesday, less than a week after a shooting incident outside an Atlanta nightclub led to criminal charges.
Coach Brian Gregory cut ties with the junior guard, who was serving his second suspension of the season at the time of the latest trouble. A graduate student manager already had been dismissed from the program for the same incident.
"It's an honor and a privilege to represent Georgia Tech and be a part of this basketball program," Gregory said in a statement. "There are certain standards that have to be met both on and off the court, and there has to be accountability when those standards aren't met. I'm disappointed that we have to take this action."
Rice will remain enrolled at Georgia Tech and complete his academic requirements for the spring semester.
"Glen has done well in school, and we want to make sure he finishes the semester strong, and then we'll assist him in any way we can with his next steps as a student-athlete," Gregory said.
Rice, son of the former NBA star, led Georgia Tech in scoring and rebounding this season but had numerous disciplinary issues. He didn't play again for the Yellow Jackets after being suspended Feb. 17.
Rice, student manager London Warren and another person were charged early Thursday, the same day Georgia Tech's dismal season ended with a 54-36 loss to Miami in the opening round of the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament.
According to an Atlanta police report, an officer received a call of a shot being fired near a nightclub. The officer said he pulled over a Cadillac Escalade and recovered two handguns from inside the vehicle.
Warren "had glossy eyes and the odor of an alcoholic beverage on his breath," the report said. He was charged with DUI.
Rice was charged with permitting unlawful operation.
Another passenger, Steven Pryor, was charged with discharging a firearm while under the influence. He claimed the gun went off accidentally while he was trying to remove it from between two seats, police said. He did have a firearms license.
Officers returned to the scene of the shooting to check for any victims or property damage. None was found.
Rice averaged 13 points and 6.7 rebounds a game this season, but his career will be remembered for off-the-court issues. He was benched at the end of last season by former coach Paul Hewitt and suspended for the first three games this season by Gregory. He did not practice or play with the team after his February suspension, appearing in only 21 games.
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