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Tennessee All-SEC forward Tyler Smith has been dismissed from the team, the UT athletic department announced in a release this afternoon.
Smith was among four UT players arrested on New Years Day on drug and weapons charges.
The other three players - Melvin Goins, Brian Williams and Cameron Tatum - are still on indefinite suspension and will not play in the game against No. 1 Kansas on Sunday at Thompson-Boling Arena.
"When we have a situation like this involving our student-athletes, we want to make sure we get as much information as possible before making difficult decisions," Pearl said in the release. "From the beginning, the student-athletes involved have been accountable, remorseful and cooperative with me. While we are not allowed to discuss specifics, we felt we had enough information at this time to dismiss Tyler Smith from the team. Melvin Goins, Cameron Tatum, and Brian Williams will remain indefinitely suspended."
The four were in a rental car stopped for speeding by the Knoxville Police Department. Two guns and a bag of marijuana were found in the vehicle.
The release also offered the following statement from Smith:
"First, I want to thank the University of Tennessee, the UT Athletic Department and the basketball program for my support here. This place is a family for me and I look forward to a long relationship with this team and program as I go on in life.
"I am truly sorry for my actions in the recent case that everyone is familiar with. From the beginning, I have accepted responsibility for my actions and what I have been charged with, and I am very sorry that my decisions have affected Brian, Cam and Melvin.
"One day soon I hope I can finish the 12 classes that I need for my degree. My recent actions do not reflect who I am and I can only hope that what I do in the future can make everyone believe in me again."
