UCLA Suspends Johnson, McCoy

Swingman Kris Johnson and center Jelani McCoy, who helped UCLA within a victory of a Final Four berth last season, have been suspended indefinitely from the team.

The players were suspended for violation of athletic department policies and team rules and will not be allowed to participate in any team activities, director of athletics Peter T. Dalis said Monday in a statement.

There is a possibility the two may be reinstated at a later date, the statement said, adding that university policy precludes discussion of details regarding the suspension.

“Kris and Jelani have the support of our basketball family, as well as of the athletic department,� UCLA coach Steve Lavin said. “My hope is that they will do what is required of them so that we will be able to consider reinstating them at a later date.

“Obviously, they were a key part of our nucleus for the upcoming season. Our two remaining seniors -- Toby Bailey and J.R. Henderson -- will have to lead what is suddenly a very young team, but we are used to overcoming adversity.�

Also returning from last year’s team is guard Brandon Loyd, who played in 30 games last season as a reserve, and Sean Farnham, who played in just nine games.

Incoming scholarship freshmen are point guards Baron Davis and Earl Watson, shooting guard Rico Hines, swingman Billy Knight and forward Travis Reed.

In addition, the Bruins will have transfer Kevin Daley, a forward who sat out last year after playing at Nevada for one season.

Johnson, a 6-foot-4 senior, played in 31 games last season despite being bothered by a nagging ankle injury. Used primarily as a sixth man, he averaged 10.3 points and 3.0 rebounds and led the Pac-10 in free throw percentage at 83.5 percent.

Healthy as a sophomore, Johnson started 21 games and averaged 12.5 points and 4.4 rebounds.

McCoy, a 6-9 1/2 junior, started 28 games last season and set a Pac-10 record by making 75.6 percent of his field goal attempts.