WKU’s Akol suspended three games; Fant, Price sit for paperwork issues

Junior+center+Teeng+Akol%2C+who+played+in+the+Toppers+exhibition%0Alast+Saturday+against+Xavier+%28La.%29%2C+will+sit+out+the+first+three%0Agames+of+the+season+after+violating+a+team+rule.%0A

Junior center Teeng Akol, who played in the Toppers’ exhibition last Saturday against Xavier (La.), will sit out the first three games of the season after violating a team rule.

Cole Claybourn

WKU announced before Friday’s tipoff against St. Joseph’s that junior center Teeng Akol will be suspended for the team’s first three games of the season.

“Right after the 2010-2011 season ended, Teeng Akol violated a team rule that resulted in a three-game suspension,” Head Coach Ken McDonald said in a statement. “As a result, he will not play in our games against Saint Joseph’s, Tennessee State and Tulsa. Since we already concluded the season, the suspension carries over to the start of 2011-12. 

“It is unfortunate that we will be without Teeng for the beginning of the season due to what occurred last spring, but he has learned from this experience. He has personally been working very hard since then, and he had a great summer and preseason camp on and off the floor. Teeng has shown a renewed focus since this past spring, and we look forward to having him back in the lineup next week.”

The suspension carries over to WKU’s first round game of the Charleston Classic against Tulsa.

Freshman forward George Fant and freshman guard T.J. Price will also sit out Friday’s game against St. Joseph’s due to issues with the paperwork filing of their summer employment.

“Because of an issue regarding the paperwork filing of their approved summer employment, George Fant and T.J. Price will be sitting out tonight’s game against Saint Joseph’s,” WKU athletics said in a statement. “We learned of this issue last night, and therefore Fant and Price have to sit out tonight’s game per NCAA rules and the formula the NCAA uses for these types of situations.

“This is a procedural matter, and Fant and Price are not at fault, nor are any members of our staff. We fully anticipate a quick resolution, and they will play once they are cleared by the NCAA.”