U of I’s Darius Paul Suspended Indefinitely

University of Illinois basketball forward Darius Paul has been suspended indefinitely and sent home from the team's European trip.  In a release, head coach John Groce said he suspended Paul for violating team rules.

“Darius has been suspended indefinitely after violating team rules during our trip,” Groce said. “We have specific standards of behavior for every member of our team, and when those expectations are not met, there are consequences. Darius is returning home immediately, and we will evaluate his status with the team following our return to Champaign.”

Update: WCIA-TV reports that Deauville, France police arrested Paul Friday morning just before 5am local time after multiple calls to police reporting that Paul was breaking windows and damaging vehicles.  Deauville police superintendent Madam Pons told WCIA that Paul has been charged with vandalism, public intoxication, and resisting arrest.

"He rebelled against us," Pons said.  "It was hard to get him into custody because he is so big."

Paul had just returned to the team this summer after spending a year at Lamar State-Port Arthur junior college in Texas.  He had previously been a member the Illinois men's basketball team during the 2013-14 season, but did not play per NCAA rules after transferring from Western Michigan.  Paul was dismissed from the Illini in May of 2014 after failing multiple drug tests and being arrested for underage drinking and resisting arrest in April of 2014.

Darius Paul is the younger brother of former Illinois basketball player Brandon Paul.  He had not played in any games during the team's trip to Europe because of a shoulder injury.