Ole Miss star Henderson suspended
News outlets cite drug tests for ‘violation of team rules’
OXFORD, Miss. — Ole Miss guard Marshall Henderson has been suspended indefinitely.
In a release Wednesday, the university announced the 6-foot-2 senior from Hurst, Texas, is suspended because of a “violation of team rules,” but it did not provide any details about the violations.
ESPN.com and CBSSports.com both reported that the suspension followed multiple failed drug tests.
“Since the season ended, we have talked a lot about Marshall taking a greater leadership role with our team,” Ole Miss coach Andy Kennedy said in a statement. “With that comes greater responsibility, and he must do a better job of living up to the high standard we expect from him and he desires from himself.”
Henderson averaged 20.1 points per game last season while bombing 3-pointers from nearly every inch of the court. He helped the Rebels win the SEC Tournament champi- onship and advance to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2002.
But the f lamboyant guard also was known for his abrasive personality and he quickly became the player opposing teams loved to hate.
Most of Henderson’s transgressions were fairly harmless like popping his jersey at the Auburn crowd after hitting a game-clinching shot, but he rarely missed an opportunity to needle opposing fans.
It’s been an eventful offseason for Henderson, but for all the wrong reasons.
He wrote a message in April for the university’s website, thanking Ole Miss fans for their support and vaguely apologizing to “anyone I offended.” He said he would try to become a better leader in the future. He was also reprimanded by the NCAA in June for making an “inappropriate gesture” following the Rebels’ loss to LaSalle in the third round of the NCAA Tournament.
Henderson came to Ole Miss with a history of discipline problems.
He was arrested in both 2009 and 2011 and served time in jail after the second arrest because he violated his probation. Ole Miss has said the coaches were aware of Henderson’s past when he signed with the program.