University of Massachusets Athletics
Freshman Leaves UMass Basketball Program
October 11, 2002 | Men's Basketball
Oct. 11, 2002
AMHERST, Mass. -- University of Massachusetts men's basketball coach Steve Lappas announced this afternoon that freshman forward Stephen Briggs (Houston, Texas) has been dismissed from the Minuteman program for a violation of team rules.
"After a careful and complete review of the facts, all parties involved thought it best that Stephen leave the team," said Lappas, whose second team begins practice for the 2002-03 season tomorrow. "This was a very difficult decision to make, but one that I thought was necessary. All of us wish him well."
According to Lappas, Briggs will withdraw from UMass and return to his hometown.
The 6-9, 212-pound Briggs averaged 18 points and 11 rebounds as a senior at Houston's Westside High School. The school's team captain and MVP a year ago, Briggs helped Westside to the 2002 district championship, and earned All-State, All-District and Regional All-Star recognition.
One of four players who signed with UMass during the 2001 early-signing period, he selected Massachusetts over Georgia Tech, Wake Forest and Texas.