WRAL Sports Fan

Duke

Duke guard Smith to sit out season's first two games

By Ryan Craig

Nov 4, 2009

Duke's thin back court just got a little thinner for the start of the regular season.

Nolan Smith, Duke's starting shooting guard, will miss the team's first two regular season games after "violating rules pertaining to summer league participation," according to Matt Plizga, the school's assistant director of sports information for men's basketball.

Smith told reporters Tuesday night that he was suspended for playing in a game with overseas players and professionals over the summer near his hometown of Washington, D.C.

Smith is slated to miss Duke's contests against UNC-Greensboro Nov. 13 and Coastal Carolina Nov. 16.

Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski said they had known about the incident since the summer.

"We’re ready to move on," Krzyzewski said. "We’re a different team without him, though. There’s no question about that.”

With the loss of Smith, the Blue Devils will now only have the services of one true guard with any kind of real collegiate experience – Jon Scheyer.

Jordan Davidson, a former walk-on, has played sparingly during his tenure with the team, and freshman Andre Dawkins only arrived on campus a few months ago after bypassing his final year of high school.

Forward Kyle Singler was slated to play more on the perimeter this season, and may see time at the two in Smith's absence.