Men’s basketball seniors Shaquille Johnson and Jason Pimentel were suspended indefinitely from the team Friday, Oct. 9 according to a press release by the Longwood Athletics department.
“Shaquille and Jason have not met the standards Longwood expects from its student-athletes,” said Troy Austin, the Longwood director of athletics, in the release. “They will be removed from team activities while we review this matter.”
On Tuesday, Oct. 6, both players were charged with misdemeanor possession of marijuana.
Their preliminary hearing is set for Nov. 23.
The Rotunda reached out to Longwood Athletics Assistant Vice President for Athletics Communications Chris Cook for comment and was denied. Neither Austin nor men’s basketball head coach Jayson Gee were made available for comment.
The NCAA includes, but does not limit team activities to practice, competition, required weight training and conditioning directed by an institutional staff member, required participation in camps, clinics or promotional activities, and involvement of an institution’s strength and conditioning staff with enrolled student-athletes in required conditioning programs.
Just four days before being charged with possession of marijuana, Pimentel was found not guilty of a decreased battery charge in Prince Edward County Circuit Court on Thursday, Oct 1. He was initially found guilty of sexual battery on Feb. 2 in Prince Edward County District Court. Pimentel served a 25-game suspension before his trial in Februrary.
Johnson was recently named to the Big South Preseason All-Conference team last Thursday, Oct. 1.
The Rotunda will continue to update as the story develops.
Written by Halle Parker, a Longwood student-athlete and member of the women's soccer team.
