Illinois' Paul dismissed for arrest in France, alleged drunken rampage

By foxsports
Published

CHICAGO — Illinois forward Darius Paul has been dismissed following his arrest last week during a team trip to France.

Coach John Groce announced the move in a written statement Friday.

Immediately after the trip, Groce had said he had ''indefinitely'' suspended Paul for violating team rules. On Friday, he said that ''after further review of the situation,'' Paul had been dismissed from the team.

The 6-foot-8 junior was arrested on Aug. 14 in Deauville, France, after police received multiple reports that Paul was damaging vehicles and breaking windows.

Deauville police superintendent Madam Pons said Paul was ''very, very drunk.'' He was charged with vandalism, public intoxication and resisting arrest.

Paul, the younger brother of former Illini guard Brandon Paul, was suspended for the 2014-15 season for what Groce called ''multiple transgressions.'' He later pleaded guilty to underage drinking.

Paul also missed the 2013-14 season after transferring from Western Michigan, where he averaged 10.4 points and 5.7 rebounds as a freshman.