Harris released from men's basketball team

Wildcat File Photo Arizona Daily Wildcat Donnel Harris

Athletic department officials and UA coaches have refused to comment on the specifics relating to Harris' dismissal, instead citing an unspecified "failure to meet team obligations" in an official release from the UA sports information office.

It was unknown whether Harris' dismissal had anything to do with his arrest Aug. 27 that stemmed from two outstanding warrants in Casa Grande.

Harris said after the arrest that the warrants, for speeding and possession of marijuana, had been erroneously issued and everything would be taken care of before the season.

After an Aug. 28 meeting between Harris, UA athletic director Jim Livengood and UA coaches, Livengood released a statement that to the best of his knowledge "Donnell has taken care of everything he needs to have done."

Harris had been in trouble with the team before, including a two-game suspension last season for missing practice. He also missed half of last season after undergoing gall bladder surgery.

Without the 6-foot-11-inch Harris, who averaged 4.1 points and 3.9 rebounds a game over his career, Arizona will start the season with only A.J. Bramlett and Eugene Edgerson returning as experienced post players.

But associate head coach Jim Rosborough said the team wasn't worried about frontcourt depth with the emergence of sophomore Justin Wessel and freshman Michael Wright.

Luke Walton, who was originally slated to play on the wing, will also get a chance to move into the post.

"We're not worried about post depth," Rosborough said. "Luke will step up. We'll be fine in there."

After starting practice Saturday, the team has only 16 days before its debut in the annual intrasquad Red-Blue scrim-mage Nov. 3. Then after a home exhibition game against Sakalai, Lithuania, the team will start the regular season against Tennessee in the BCA Classic in Albuquerque, N.M., Friday, Nov. 13.

Seth Doria can be reached via e-mail at Seth.Doria@wildcat.arizona.edu.