Nov. 7, 2007

MILWAUKEE - Avery Smith has been dismissed from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee men's basketball team for a violation of team rules and conduct detrimental to the team, head coach Rob Jeter announced today.

Smith had been suspended indefinitely prior to UWM's exhibition win over UW-Parkside last Thursday.

"It has become clear we need to move forward as a team and a program without Avery," Jeter said. "We have talked a lot during the preseason about guys needing to be on the same page working toward the same goals. I've focused a lot on team chemistry and togetherness and now it is time to move into the season with a group that is committed to those ideas."

Smith, who was UWM's leading scorer a season ago at 15.5 points per game, will remain on athletic aid.