Kansas State forward Nae’Qwan Tomlin has been indefinitely suspended from the team, announced coach Jerome Tang on Monday.
In a statement released by the school, Tang said, “I have indefinitely suspended Nae’Qwan Tomlin for not meeting our expectations for our players. While he is not currently with the team, he is still part of our family, and we will provide support as he navigates through this process.”
Tomlin was arrested for disorderly conduct and fighting at Tubby’s Sports Bar in Manhattan, Kansas, early Sunday morning, according to a report from the Riley County Police Department. He was later released after posting a $750 bond.
As a junior last season, the 22-year-old Tomlin averaged 10.4 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game, helping the Wildcats reach the Elite Eight in Tang’s first year as head coach. Last month, Tang and the school agreed to a contract extension through the 2029-2030 season.
Kansas State’s 2023-2024 season begins with an unranked position in the preseason AP Top 25 poll, receiving 13 votes. The Wildcats will kick off their season on November 6 against No. 21 USC at the Hall of Fame Series in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The Impact on Kansas State
This suspension will likely result in changes to Tang’s rotation. Instead of the planned lineup with Tomlin alongside Arthur Kaluma, it is expected that Tang will now opt for more three-guard lineups and move Kaluma to the power forward position. This will likely lead to increased playing time for Cam Carter, who was already anticipated to be a breakout player. David N’Guessan may also see an uptick in minutes and will need to be able to play both big man positions.
The absence of Tomlin could potentially alter the Wildcats’ style of play. He is considered one of the most talented players on the roster and crucial to Tang’s fast-paced approach. Fortunately, Kansas State has greater depth this season, but Tang may need to rely on additional players who were originally backup options. -C.J. Moore, college basketball staff writer
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(Photo: Mitchell Layton / Getty Images)
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