Just four days after he was suspended for an incident at practice in Hawaii, Renardo Sidney has been suspended again. This time indefinitely.
Sidney and Elgin Bailey, who are roommates, were caught on camera fighting in the stands after Thursday’s game at the Diamond Head Classic in Honolulu. The fight lasted for several minutes before it was broken up by teammates and coaches. Both players have been sent home from Hawaii.
The fight came three days after Sidney was initially suspended one game for an incident at practice Monday.
The school said the length of the latest suspensions, which were announced Friday, “will be determined by the actions of Elgin and Renardo moving forward, and the situation will be reassessed when the team and coaching staff return to campus.”
“I’m very sorry for this incident,” the 6-foot-10 Sidney said in a statement. I had no intention of this ever happening. I apologize for embarrassing my family, all the Mississippi State fans, my teammates and coaches. I will learn from this and move on.”
“Our athletic staff, coaches and student-athletes have a responsibility to conduct themselves in a manner that brings credit and honor to our university,” added MSU athletic director Scott Stricklin. “The actions that took place Thursday night in Hawaii were embarrassing to all of us who love Mississippi State University and our athletic program. This behavior will not be tolerated.”
MSU coach Rick Stansbury added: “In my 13 years as a head coach, we’ve never had anything like this happen before. I am very disappointed in the actions of Elgin Bailey and Renardo Sidney and in no way does it reflect the overall picture of our program. It is not how we want our men’s basketball team to be viewed nationally, and it is certainly not the conduct we expect of teammates in our program, nor will it be tolerated on any level.”
This is the latest in a string of issues for Sidney, one of the most highly recruited players in the Class of 2009.
The NCAA ruled last March he had to repay $11,800 in improper benefits and sit the remainder of the 2009-10 season and nine more games this seaosn.
Mississippi State (8-4) meets Hawaii on Christmas Day in the Diamond Head Classic and then heads to Las Vegas to face St. Mary’s on Wednesday. Sidney and Bailey won’t play in either game.
(The AP contributed)
