Villanova announced on Monday that freshman JayVaughn Pinkston has been suspended from the University for the spring semester after an altercation at a party earlier in the year.

Pinkston had not been allowed to participate in games while he and the team awaited the decision. 

The forward and McDonald’s All-American has been charged with two counts of simple assault and harassment and has a court date set for later this month.

“I am in support of the University’s decision,” Head Coach Jay Wright said in a statement released by the University. “JayVaughn understands that there are consequences to his actions and I believe he will continue to handle this in a mature manner. We look forward to his return in June.”

Pinkston will be eligible for a redshirt, meaning should he decide to return to Villanova to continue his academic and athletic career, he will retain four years of athletic eligibility. The redshirt, in this case, is mandated because this is a university sanction and was not ruled on by the NCAA. 

Pinkston will be eligible to return to the team in June, immediately after the end of the spring semester. Pinkston has indicated that he will pursue his basketball career at Villanova, despite not being allowed to participate in any classes or basketball related activities in the spring.

“I am sorry,” Pinkston said in the statement. “This situation is my responsibility and I have learned from it. I am going work extremely hard so that I can return to the Villanova family in June.”

As rumors continue to swirl about exactly what happened during the altercation, all other details about the event and the disciplinary proceedings are confidential, according to the University’s statement.

The loss is a blow to the basketball team which is thin when it comes to impact front court players. 

Pinkston was expected to immediately step in as a contributor alongside senior forward Antonio Peña and sophomore forward Mouphtaou Yarou. No. 12 Villanova is currently hampered by injuries to sophomore forwards Marice Sutton and Isaiah Armwood, which has forced freshman James Bell to return from injury sooner than expected. 

Pinkston was a highly touted recruit after making a name for himself in the New York area. He was forced to miss a highly publicized return to his hometown when Villanova participated in the NIT Season Tip-Off, the last two rounds of which were held at Madison Square Garden. Pinkston’s punishment is consistent with previous disciplinary violations, such as the suspension of senior guard Reggie Redding last year after Radnor Police discovered marijuana in his car.

The University has not released any information relating to the party at which the altercation occurred.