Instead of its legacy being of a team that went from worst in the Pac-10 to making a deep NIT run, this year's Washington State team may be remembered for its inability to stay out of trouble off the court.
Starting center DeAngelo Casto became the latest player to run afoul of the law on Tuesday when Washington State announced that he will miss Wednesday's NIT quarterfinal as a result of a violation of team rules. The Spokesman-Review reported that Casto's off-campus apartment was searched by police early Tuesday morning and a small amount of marijuana was allegedly found.
The suspension of Casto marks the third marijuana-related incident this season involving one of Washington State's starters. Washington State coach Ken Bone also issued one-game suspensions to guards Reggie Moore and Klay Thompson earlier this season after both were cited for marijuana possession in separate incidents.
"I am disappointed in DeAngelo as he let himself and his teammates down," Bone said in a statement. "Neither myself nor the team will have further comment as our sole focus is the game against Northwestern and the opportunity to reach the NIT semifinals in New York."
The best big man on Washington State's roster, the 6-foot-8 Casto averaged 12.1 points and 6.8 rebounds this season and shot 58.3 percent from the floor. The junior has one year of eligibility remaining at Washington State, but Bone told a Seattle radio station last week that Casto is considering turning pro.
"It would be helpful if DeAngelo is back, and I'm not positive on that," Bone said, noting that Casto has a child to support. "There's a chance he won't be around. We're hoping he is. We think he will be, but it's not a for sure thing."
Nicole Scherzinger Jill Arrington Tami Donaldson Padma Lakshmi Sarah Mutch
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