Tennessee coach Kim Caldwell dismissed senior guard Ruby Whitehorn from the team after she was charged with a misdemeanor for simple possession on Sunday morning. The Vols guard was found with 5.59 grams of marijuana during a routine traffic stop on October 31.
Just hours before she was charged with simple possession, Whitehorn scored 18.0 points in the Vols’ emphatic 148-48 win over Columbus State.
Kim Caldwell Explains Ruby Whitehorn’s Dismissal
After Whitehorn’s simple possession misdemeanor charge, Caldwell released a statement on Sunday explaining why she dismissed the guard from the Tennessee team.
“It is my responsibility to protect the high standards of this historic program,” Caldwell said. “In light of recent events, Ruby has been unable to reflect those standards, and I have made the difficult decision to dismiss her from our team. I love Ruby and will always be rooting for her, but my priority is to uphold the respected reputation of the Lady Vols.”
It was Whitehorn’s second incident after being arrested in early August for two felony charges of aggravated burglary and domestic assault. Caldwell reinstated her to the team on September 8, following her plea of guilty to misdemeanors of aggravated criminal trespass and vandalism during a preliminary hearing on September 5.
Ruby Whitehorn Apologizes to Vols for Dismissal
After her dismissal from the team on Sunday, Ruby Whitehorn released a heartfelt statement on Instagram apologizing to Tennessee fans and coaches for her dismissal from the team.
“As most of you know, this has not been my best year,” Ruby Whitehorn wrote. “I’m not usually one to open up about my personal life or challenges and that is part of the reason I am in this position today. For the past couple of months I have walked by fear and not faith. Fear of asking for help, for guidance, fear of failure. To my coaches & teammates, I appreciate the support on and off the court.
“I have failed to uphold the standards of the lady vol legacy and what it represents and for that I apologize. To the Lady Vol community and fans your support and encouragement will forever be appreciated. With everything that has occurred this year, I am dedicating time so that I can focus on healing and bettering myself mentally.”
Whitehorn joined the Vols from the Clemson Tigers last year via the transfer portal, and she registered 11.6 points, 1.7 assists, and 4.0 rebounds as Tennessee reached the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament.