Arizona Wildcats forward Keanu Pinder and assistant coach Mark Phelps were suspended Friday for breaking NCAA rules, it was announced shortly before UA’s season-opener vs. NAU.
Pinder was handed a one-game suspension, while Phelps was suspended five days without pay.
The reasoning was unclear — all the UA said is Phelps’ suspension was not related to the ongoing federal investigation — but now KVOA is reporting that the suspensions were the result of Phelps buying Pinder a ticket to fly home to Australia.
The good news for Arizona is that’s a minor violation.