The administration has handed down JayVaughn Pinkston's sentence: he will be suspended through the spring semester and will not play for Villanova this season. He will not be allowed to play basketball or attend classes in the Spring semester.
Pinkston will return to "good standing" in June 2011 and can return to the program as a redshirt freshman with a full four years of eligibility.
Three weeks ago, Pinkston was involved in an off-campus altercation and was initially expected to miss the Fall Semester after being charged with assault.
Jay Wright told reporters that he supports the decision and Pinkston added, "I am sorry. This situation is my responsibility and I have learned from it. I am going to work extremely hard so that I can return to the Villanova family in June."
OFFICIAL RELEASE from Campus
It was announced today that as a result of disciplinary proceedings Villanova University student and men’s basketball player JayVaughn Pinkston has been suspended from the University for the spring semester. During this time, Pinkston will not be permitted to attend classes or play basketball for the University. In June 2011, Pinkston will regain his status as a "student in good standing" and will be eligible to resume competition as a member of Villanova’s men’s basketball team, which he intends to do. All other aspects of Villanova University’s disciplinary process as it relates to Pinkston are confidential.
Stated Villanova head coach, Jay Wright, "I am in support of the University’s decision. JayVaughn understands that there are consequences to his actions, and I believe he will continue to handle this in a mature manner. We look forward to his return in June."
Pinkston cannot transfer to another Division I school without sitting out two semesters under NCAA rules, so it would seem unlikely that he will do that at this point (it would set him back another semester in terms of playing).
His coach from the New Heights program in New York, Kimani Young (currently at St. Johns) told Adam Zagoria:
This is an unfortunate situation for everyone involved. Villanova is a great place for [Pinkston] as a player and as a person. It is our hope that JayVaughn will be able to continue his education and basketball career at Villanova in the fall. JayVaughn is learning a valuable life lesson through this process and he will become a better young man for it.
Update 1:45pm: Adam Zagoria now reports that Pinkston will have to reapply to school to return in good standing in July. That is apparently the standard procedure for any student who has been suspended from Villanova for disciplinary reasons.