Rasheed Sulaimon would not say what lead to his dismissal from Duke University's men's basketball team, but insisted it was not the allegations of sexual assault against him.
Speaking with ESPN's Jeff Goodman, Sulaimon gave a lengthy interview in which he staunchly denied sexually assaulting anyone. Though he would not say what did lead to his dismissal, he said it took him by surprise and was not handled properly.
"Me being dismissed from the team had nothing to do with this allegation," Sulaimon told Goodman. "I have never sexually assaulted, not only anyone on the Duke campus, but anyone period.
"It's not in my nature at all. I have great respect for the role of women in society. I would never demean or do anything to a woman in this manner. No, I've never done anything like this in my life."
On Jan. 29, Sulaimon became the first and only player Duke head men's basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski has ever dismissed from his team over the course of his 35-year tenure. At the time of the dismissal, Krzyzewski did not offer a reason either, the Duke Chronicle reported at the time. The same report indicated Sulaimon's dismissal was not the result of a single incident, but "a buildup of issues."
"Rasheed has been unable to consistently live up to the standards required to be a member of our program," Krzyzewski said in a press release at the time.
Sulaimon appears to remain enrolled at Duke University and, as he told Goodman, is in contact with players on the team while he works out away from the program's facilities. Duke officials and athletic department personnel have not commented on the matter since dismissing Sulaimon.
An All-American out of high school, Sulaimon saw his playing time and role on the ream diminish in each of his three seasons at Duke. He told Goodman he was "frustrated and embarrassed" on one particular occasion where he sat out "a big game," though he did not say which one.
"My frustration only grew," Sulaimon said. "I realize now I could have and should have handled things drastically different, but what's done [is] done. I have no quarrel with Coach K and I'm looking for a fresh start to finish my college career after I graduate from Duke first."
