After a rocky start leading to an indefinite absence, former McDonald's All-American and University of Memphis freshman Jelan Kendrick returned to practice on Thursday.
The disciplinary matter, which took him off the court Oct. 20, was never disclosed by coach Josh Pastner, though he repeatedly said it was a "personal matter" that involved neither the law nor an NCAA rule infraction. Although the 6-foot-6 guard from Atlanta, Ga., will now practice with the rest of the team, he'll continue to sit on the bench at games until Pastner gives him the go-ahead.
"There are things that he and I have talked about that need to be met, and if that happens, then the next step is he'll be reinstated for games," Pastner said before Thursday's practice. "I don't want to say he's on a tight leash, but I want to do what's best for him as an individual, making sure that I give him every opportunity to succeed off the court as well as on the court."
Pastner said his decision to bench Kendrick got the message across loud and clear.
"Sometimes for change to happen, you've got to either hit rock bottom, or have something you love taken away from you. Obviously, basketball has been taken away from him for some time," Pastner said. "I think that makes you appreciate what you have, it humbles you and you recognize that. To his credit, he's done some things to realize that it's an eye-opening experience for him."
Once he gains permission to play in a game, Pastner said, he expects the consensus top-15 recruit to contribute immediately.
"I expect him to have a great career here," he said. "I expect him to do a lot of great things in the community. He's done a really good job academically. And he's obviously a wonderful talent - there's no question about that."
Another promising freshman prospect has been absent from the Tigers' debut, but for different reasons. Will Barton, Pastner's prized recruit in the Class of 2010, has a choice about when he can rejoin his teammates. The 6-foot-6 guard from Baltimore, Md., injured his knee Oct. 22 and then tweaked his ankle on the same leg. Doctors say he's good to go, but Pastner said the decision to return is up to him.
"He knows his body. When he feels he can go 100 percent, he'll play," Pastner said. "It's really on him and it's when he feels ready mentally."
At the same time, Pastner added, he doesn't want Barton to rush back and perhaps re-injure himself.
"When Will Barton feels he can practice at full speed and not favor one leg over the other, and limp around - because if that's the case, he won't practice - but once he's able to do that and put consecutive practices together, that's when he'll be able to play in a game."
