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Senior guard failed random drug test Thursday Monday, February 14, 2000 By Gerry Dulac, Post-Gazette Sports Writer
Kellii Taylor, whose Pitt career has been checkered with academic and alcohol problems, was dismissed from the basketball team after he violated the university's drug policy.
Taylor, a 6-foot senior guard who was former Coach Ralph Willard's first high-school recruit at Pitt, failed a random drug test that was administered before the game at West Virginia on Thursday. School officials did not receive the results until late Friday afternoon.
According to university policy, the failed test constituted a second strike against Taylor, who missed five games last season because he was receiving treatment for alcohol abuse. A second strike results in automatic dismissal.
Pitt officials did not disclose the reason for Taylor's dismissal, except to say in a statement it was for violation of team policy. However, Taylor's father, Roland, a former NBA player, confirmed yesterday his son failed a drug test.
"It's something that's unfortunate," said Coach Ben Howland, who would not comment specifically on the reason for Taylor's dismissal. "But, for the long haul, we're doing the right thing."
Taylor is the second Pitt player in the past week to have problems with drugs. Forward Isaac Hawkins, who is not playing this season because of a fractured leg, was charged with possession of marijuana after being arrested by city police at his Oakland apartment Monday night.
Taylor also is the second player to be dismissed from the team in the past three weeks. Junior-college transfer Derrick Worrell, a Howland recruit, was let go Jan. 26 for what Howland said was a poor attitude.
Last month, freshman forward Donatas Zavackas missed three games because he was being disciplined for his involvement in a university investigation into unauthorized long-distance phone calls by Pitt students from campus buildings.
"When you have distractions off the floor, it affects how you perform on the floor," Howland said. "We will ingrain that in our program."
The departure of Taylor, who played in 12 games this season, leaves Pitt with just eight players on the roster. The shortage of players forced Howland to give more playing time to sophomore John Finneman and walk-on Griffin Abel in the 72-65 loss yesterday to Georgetown.
"I'm sure that was a distraction," Georgetown Coach Craig Esherick said. "It's hard for Ben with the limited bench he has to play against a team like ours, which has a number of players we can put in the game."
Taylor was recruited by Willard in 1994, but spent his first season at Maine Central Institute prep school because he did not meet Pitt's academic standards. He sat out most of the 1995-96 season with back surgery and received a medical redshirt that gave him an extra year of eligibility.
But Taylor missed 13 games the past two seasons because of problems off the court.
He sat out five games last season because he was receiving treatment for alcohol abuse. This year, he missed the first eight games of the season because he was academically ineligible.
"We've been dealing with different issues all year," said freshman guard Brandin Knight. "This is just another."
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