Groce dismisses Paul after overseas arrest

By Peter Bailey-Wells

After a troubled two and a half years with the Illinois men’s basketball team, junior forward Darius Paul has been dismissed, head coach John Groce announced Friday.

Paul was arrested and charged with vandalism, public intoxication and resisting arrest in Deauville, France, during the Illini’s recent trip to Europe. Groce suspended him and Paul left the European tour early. He was not playing on the trip due to shoulder surgery.

“Although his playing days here are over, we are committed to helping him move forward,” Groce said via statement Friday.

Paul redshirted the 2013-2014, his first at Illinois. He was arrested for resisting a police officer and unlawful consumption of alcohol by a minor in April 2014 and was suspended for the 2014-2015 season.

Paul is the younger brother of former Illini standout Brandon Paul.

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He played last season at Lamar State College-Port Arthur before returning to Illinois for the 2015-2016 season.