Illinois’ Kendrick Nunn dismissed from team after battery charges

Illinois dismissed guard Kendrick Nunn from its program Tuesday following his guilty plea to misdemeanor battery charges last week.

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Illinois dismissed guard Kendrick Nunn from its program Tuesday following his guilty plea to misdemeanor battery charges last week.​

Nunn, 20, was charged with hitting a woman in the head, pushing her to the floor and pouring water on her during an argument in her apartment.

“We have made the decision to dismiss Kendrick Nunn from the men’s basketball team, effective immediately,” head coach John Groce and athletic director Josh Whitman said in a joint statement. “We have not reached this decision easily; we care deeply about Kendrick and want him to be successful. But after extensive deliberation, we think it best for our program to reaffirm our core values of trust and respect, to send a strong message about what is acceptable behavior for our student-athletes at the University of Illinois, and to part ways with Kendrick.

“As it is on college campuses across the country, relationship violence is of significant concern at our University, and we expect Fighting Illini student athletes to be leaders in promoting healthy, respectful, caring relationships. We wish Kendrick all the best as he prepares for the next chapter of his life.”

Nunn will avoid a conviction on his record if he completes 100 hours of public service, enrolls in a partner abuse program and writes a letter of apology to the victim, while going through 18 months of court supervision. Nunn also had two charges of domestic battery dropped as part of a plea deal.

Nunn averaged 15.5 points and five rebounds as a junior last season. 

Another Illinois player, guard Jaylon Tate, is also being prosecuted for domestic battery, with a case set for trial June 7. Forward Leron Black pleaded guilty in April to misdemeanor aggravated assault after pulling a knife on a nightclub bouncer in February.