Louisville suspends Chane Behanan for violation of school policy

Louisville's Chane Behanan was suspended for violating university policy. (Harry E. Walker/MCT via Getty Images)

Louisville suspended forward Chane Behanan indefinitely for a violation of university policy, and he will not be with the team during suspension, the school announced Thursday.

Behanan, a junior, averaged 9.8 points and 6.5 rebounds, started 37 of the 39 games he played in last season and helped the Cardinals win the national championship.

The earliest Behanan can return is mid-December, but Cardinals head coach Rick Pitino "doubts" that he will be back by then.

SI WIRE: Kentucky is No. 1 in USA TODAY College Basketball Poll

Behanan was suspended for an exhibition game last season and was banned from speaking to the media for the first semester.

Pitino refused to discuss what Behanan was suspended for saying, "It's multiple things. Don't ask what it is, we're not going to tell you."

“Can Chane come back on the basketball team? It’s possible. It’s not probable,” Pitino said. “We set up an arrangement for him to come back,” and in a week’s time, Behanan violated that.

“He just has a very difficult time understanding life’s values and the significance of life’s values,” Pitino said. “We’re going to try to help him along. We’re more interested in Chane the man than the basketball player.”

WINN: 22 thoughts on 3 dynamic Kansas freshmen: Wilt, Danny and Andrew