Vanderbilt suspend leading scorer Eric McClellan for the season

Vanderbilt sophomore point guard and leading scorer Eric McClellan will miss the remainder of the men’s basketball season.

The school released the following statement today: “Vanderbilt sophomore Eric McClellan, a member of the men’s basketball team, will not be enrolled in school spring semester due to a violation of university academic policy. He is expected to be reinstated this summer.”

McClellan issued a statement as well through Vanderbilt.

“I want to apologize to my family, coaches, teammates, and the entire Vanderbilt community for my actions that have led to this suspension,” he said. “I take full responsibility for what has happened. I look forward to returning to school this summer and of continuing my goal of earning a degree at Vanderbilt and playing basketball for this coaching staff and with these players.”

McClellan did not accompany the team to Alabama on Tuesday for the Commodores’ SEC opener, a 68-63 loss. The former Tulsa transfer started all 12 games in which he played while averaging 14.3 points, 4.4 rebounds and 3.2 assists.

McClellan’s loss leaves coach Kevin Stallings with just seven scholarship players for the remainder of the season. Vanderbilt began the season with nine before losing center Josh Henderson to a severe knee injury. The Commodores (8-5, 0-1 SEC) had four players leave the team for various reasons last offseason.