RENO, Nev. – A Nevada basketball player who was beaten unconscious and robbed at a Halloween party where three people were shot to death has been kicked off the team because he had been told not to go out that night, Wolf Pack coach Mark Fox said Tuesday night.
Tyrone Hanson, a 6-foot-6 sophomore forward from New York, was severely beaten early Sunday at a Reno home where a fight erupted and resulted in the triple homicide. He was treated and released from a Reno hospital.
Fox said Hanson already had been held out of a scrimmage on Saturday for violating team rules.
"He again violated our policy by going out socially that evening while he had been directed not to," Fox said.
"Tyrone and other student-athletes in attendance did not break the law, but Tyrone understands the high standard of behavior that is expected in our program," he said.
Hanson said in a statement released by the university Tuesday night that he understood the decision and wanted to extend his sympathies to the three victims.
"I have enjoyed my time here at Nevada and I am sad to see it come to an end. I want to thank Coach Fox for helping me understand what it means to be a man," he said.
Last season Hanson played in 30 games, all off the bench for Nevada, averaging 1.6 points and 1.0 rebounds in 8.1 minutes per game. He is one of nine returning letter-winners on the team. Hanson graduated from St. Mary's High in Manhasset, N.Y., and then attended Bridgton Academy of North Bridgton, Maine.