Old Dominion University has indefinitely suspended three players from its basketball programs amid a physical altercation inside a campus dormitory.
Galaisha Goodhope and Chelisa Painter have been suspended from the women's program, while junior college transfer Javonte Douglas has been suspended from the men's program.
"Based on recommendations from Coach Jeff Jones and Coach Karen Barefoot, I am accepting the indefinite suspension of Galaisha Goodhope, Chelisa Painter and Javonte Douglas from the women's and men's basketball teams respectively, for violation of team rules," Athletic Director Wood Selig said, Wavy reports.
Although details of the altercation haven't been revealed, it is believed that Goodhope interfered in an argument between Douglas and Painter in August, Daily Press reports.
All three basketball players will be attending school but are banned from practice and team-related activities. The length of the suspensions will be decided during further hearings. The players have decided to appeal their suspensions, which will be dealt by campus judiciary and student code of conduct.
Douglas, a Charlotte-native, transferred to Old Dominion from Central College of Florida. Goodhope, a junior point guard from Norfolk, is Virginia Beach's Princess Anne High School alum. While Painter, a senior from Indian River in Chesapeake, attended Indian River High School.
Painter and Goodhope, both Hampton Roads locals, were high-scoring starters on the women's team. Painter, a 6-1 redshirt senior forward, started 33 of 34 games. She was second best on the team in scoring (8.9 ppg), rebounding (5.9 rpg) and blocked shots per game. Goodhope, a 5-foot-5 junior guard, started 30 games last season, averaged 8.1 points per game and led the Lady Monarchs in assists (115).
Douglas, an athletic 6-7 forward, was a second-team junior college All-American last season at Central College of Florida. He averaged 17.2 points and 9.1 rebounds last season and was expected to be a key contributor on the team.
The Old Dominion men's basketball team begins its 2014-2015 season on Nov. 15 against UNC Wilmington.
