Anderson kicks forward off team

Former Arkansas forward Jacorey Williams (right), suspended with two others earlier this year in a forgery incident, was dismissed from the team Wednesday, according to Coach Mike Anderson.
Former Arkansas forward Jacorey Williams (right), suspended with two others earlier this year in a forgery incident, was dismissed from the team Wednesday, according to Coach Mike Anderson.

FAYETTEVILLE -- Jacorey Williams won't have a senior basketball season at Arkansas.

Razorbacks Coach Mike Anderson announced Wednesday that Williams has been dismissed from the team.

The news isn't a surprise considering Williams was among three Razorbacks arrested July 22 in connection with a forgery investigation and, according to Fayetteville police reports, was involved in two incidents July 5 and July 18 in which he allegedly shoved his then-girlfriend to the ground during an argument at a Fayetteville bar, then punched a bouncer in the face at the same bar.

Williams has not been arrested in either of the bar incidents. His former girlfriend, Essence Singleton, and the bouncer, Bryan Jones, have not pressed charges.

Williams was suspended indefinitely from the basketball team after the forgery arrest along with Razorbacks Anton Beard and Dustin Thomas.

"Jacorey has been a part of our program for the past three years, and we wish him the best as he pursues his future away from Razorback basketball," Anderson said in a news release. "Members of our program carry a responsibility to conduct themselves in a manner consistent with the expectations we have established for our student-athletes both on and off the court."

Williams, a 6-8 forward, played in 36 games last season, including seven starts. He averaged 4.8 points and 2.8 rebounds in 16.2 minutes. He played off the bench in 18 SEC games and averaged 4.0 points and 2.3 rebounds in 15.3 minutes.

If Williams had returned, he figured to have a shot to start this season considering he would have been the top returning scorer among Arkansas' front court players.

Williams, who came to Arkansas from Birmingham (Ala.) Central Park Christian High School, played in 96 games during his Razorbacks career and averaged 3.8 points and 2.3 rebounds.

Williams, Beard and Thomas have an arraignment hearing Monday in Washington County Circuit Court. They were arrested after police said they were positively identified on surveillance video passing counterfeit money at Fayetteville businesses July 17 and 18, a police report stated.

Beard, Williams and Thomas went to the Fayetteville Police Department on July 22 for an arranged meeting. They were cooperative, according to a police report, and provided statements for how they received the money, admitted to making the transactions shown on the surveillance video, but denied knowing the money was counterfeit.

Beard, a sophomore guard from North Little Rock, will be the only returning starter for the Razorbacks if he is reinstated to the team. Thomas, junior forward, transferred from Colorado and would have to redshirt this season.

Sports on 08/20/2015

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