Gonzaga Forward Kelly Olynyk Suspended Three Games for Violation

James Snook-US PRESSWIRE

On Saturday, Gonzaga announced that junior forward Kelly Olynyk has been suspended for the first three games of the season.

Olynyk will begin the year on the bench for an issue in relation to a violation of the school’s Code of Conduct. In that span, the Bulldogs will remain home in Spokane for contests against Southern Utah, West Virginia and South Dakota. That game against WVU will tip-off at midnight (EST) as part of ESPN‘s 24-hour college basketball marathon on Nov. 13.

“Gonzaga’s student-athletes are students first, and are required to follow all tenets of the Student Code of Conduct,” the university said in a statement. “The same rules and procedures are applied to all students in conduct and disciplinary matters. Consistent with university policy regarding matters involving student discipline, no further comments regarding the violation or disciplinary action will be forthcoming.”

After redshirting a season ago, Olynyk is looking to get back on the court and provide some added depth for head coach Mark Few. However, Olynyk sat out the team’s Midnight Madness event back on Oct. 12 and did not play in the team’s exhibition victory over Northwest Nazarene.

The last time Olynyk suited up for the Bulldogs was during the 2010-11 season and as a sophomore, the 7-foot forward averaged 5.8 points and 3.8 rebounds per game.

Per the suspension, Olynyk would be eligible to retake the court as part of the team’s participation in the 2012 Old Spice Classic, which begins on Nov. 22. Gonzaga tips off against Clemson as part of the event.

The team’s opening against against Southern Utah will take place on Nov. 9.

Paul Seaver is the College Basketball Network Manager at Rant Sports. You can follow him on Twitter: @TheArenaPulse