Dec. 27, 2001

LEXINGTON, Ky. –
Marvin Stone has been dismissed from the Kentucky men’s basketball team, it was announced Thursday by Coach Tubby Smith. The 6-10 junior failed to return from the holiday break and became the first player to be dismissed from the Wildcats’ basketball team in Coach Smith’s five seasons.

“Marvin has been dealing with some issues outside of basketball and we just want to wish him the best in whatever he decides to do,” Smith said. “We’re going to be releasing him and he’ll be moving on. With that come opportunities for other players. We’ll have to step up on our front line to make up for his departure.”

Stone averaged 5.3 points and 4.0 rebounds per game. He saw action in all nine contests, starting the first two, and averaged 13.9 minutes per game.

The Huntsville, Ala., native totaled 397 points and 314 rebounds in his career after playing in 75 games with 11 starts

Blevins Undergoes Successful Surgery

University of Kentucky physicians performed surgery Thursday to repair a fractured scaphoid (SKAE-phoid) bone in the right wrist of point guard J.P. Blevins. The senior co-captain had a screw inserted into the bone. According to UK athletic trainer David Kindy, recovery should take 4-6 weeks.