UVM's Dre Wills suspended for re-sale of academic books

Alex Abrami | Free Press Staff Writer

A week after the school refused to elaborate on why Dre Wills was suspended indefinitely, the University of Vermont athletic department announced Wednesday the details of the case and when the men's basketball junior would return to the court.

Wills, an Indianapolis native, has been suspended for a total of eight games, counting the three he has already sat out, for "the re-sale of academic books that was not permitted as part of his athletic scholarship," the UVM news release said.

The infraction is a violation of UVM's student-athlete code of conduct and NCAA rules "related to receipt of an impermissible benefit."

"I support the decision from the athletic department. There's nothing that we value more in this program than honesty and integrity," said UVM coach John Becker in the release. "Dre's accepted full responsibility for what happened, he's apologized to his teammates, and I know he will learn and grow from this experience."

In the same release, Wills said, "I realize what I did was wrong and I apologize to my teammates, coaches, and the UVM athletics community for letting people down.

"I accept responsibility and will work hard to regain the trust that my coaches and teammates have shown me."

Wills is eligible to return to the lineup Jan. 18 when UVM plays host to UMass-Lowell at Patrick Gymnasium. He will also be "required to pay back the full amount of the impermissible benefit through a combination of community service and monetary restitution."

UVM said Becker and Wills will have no further comment on the matter.

When pressed for more details — When did the infraction take place? When did the school learn? What was the monetary total of the book re-sale — UVM said it could only acknowledge that it was a self-reported violation to the NCAA.

"This a student-athlete disciplinary issue ... and our compliance staff worked with the men's basketball program to make sure all of the proper steps were taken to ensure a quick and appropriate resolution," said Pete Estes, the communications liaison for the men's hoops team.

Wills, who is averaging 6.8 points and five rebounds per game, missed the first five games of the season with a hamstring injury.

The Catamounts (6-7) resume action after the holiday when they take on Siena on Dec. 29 at home.

This story was originally published on Dec. 23, 2015. Contact Alex Abrami at 660-1848 or aabrami@freepressmedia.com. Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/abrami5.