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Junior guard Danny Lawhorn has left school and will not play for the basketball team, WSU announced Friday afternoon. The news comes just two weeks after the school announced that Lawhorn had been suspended indefinitely from team activities for a violation of team rules.
No reason has been given for Lawhorn's decision, and coach Ken Bone gave the only comment on the matter when he said, "We wish him nothing but the best in his future endeavors."
Lawhorn was expected to be the pass-first point guard Bone had coveted since the preseason dismissal of Reggie Moore sabotaged the Cougar offense last season. Without Lawhorn, the point guard responsibilities now fall to some combination of Royce Woolridge, DaVonte Lacy and Ike Iroegbu.
This, of course, is less than ideal. Woolridge was adequate as a point guard last year, but so far has been much more effective when he can concentrate on scoring; Lacy has proven himself in two years to be a subpar ball handler; and Iroegbu is a true freshman who is learning the point after being a scorer for most of his development.
Unfortunately, Lawhorn leaving the team doesn't resolve all the personnel problems -- presumed starting center Jordan Railey (an Iowa State transfer) remains suspended from team activities. No information on why he was suspended has been given, and no timetable for his return has been made public.
Things just keep getting worse for Bone in what could be a critical season for his future.