Holmes barred from Texas for upcoming fall semester
By Mike Peden
Texas standout Joyner Holmes has been barred from team activities until Dec. 23, due to an undisclosed violation of school policy. She will also not enroll in fall classes for the upcoming semester.
A release explaining this decision was published by Texas on Saturday. Details were scant, with brief statements from Holmes and head coach Karen Alston. Holmes displayed remorse for her conduct and is set on moving forward.
“I take full responsibility for my mistakes and I am disappointed in my actions,” she said. “I am committed to using this time to focus on myself, academics, and improving as a basketball player.”
Holmes is currently competing with the United States U19 national team at the FIBA U19 World Cup in Italy. Her impending absence leaves Texas without a dynamic post presence for most of their non-conference slate in 2017-18. Earning Big 12 Freshman of the Year honors last season, Holmes averaged 12.1 points and 8.2 rebounds per game. Among Big 12 freshmen, she was the leader in points, rebounds and double-doubles.
Texas has no shortage of talent to compensate for Holmes’ vacancy; Ariel Atkins and Brooke McCarty will return, and their freshmen class of Rellah Boothe, Destiny Littleton and Chasity Patterson is virtually unrivaled. However, Alston is optimistic about Holmes’ future with the Longhorns.
“Although I am disappointed that Joyner will not be with us in the fall semester, I am firmly convinced that she will learn and grow through this process. She will re-join us as a better version of herself and a more mature student-athlete,” she said.