Notre Dame loses Jerian Grant because of academic issue

USA TODAY Sports

Notre Dame leading scorer Jerian Grant has left school because of an academic issue and will not be with the Irish for the rest of the season.

Grant, a 6-5 senior guard, averaged 19 points and 6.2 assists for the Irish.

"I take full responsibility for my lack of good judgment and the poor decision that I made. I have no one to blame but myself for the situation," Grant said Sunday in a statement on the Notre Dame website. "I know and understand the expectations that go with being a student at Notre Dame and I did not live up to those standards."

Grant had 18 points in Notre Dame's 64-61 loss Saturday to No. 2 Ohio State.

Losing Grant is big for the Irish (8-4), who will be heading into their first ACC season needing marquee wins after a disappointing non-conference performance.

Grant, the son of former NBA player Harvey Grant, said in his statement he plans to return to school:

"It is my full intention to return to Notre Dame as soon as possible following the 2014 spring semester. I intend to do whatever it takes to earn my degree and finish out my college basketball career here. I understand that there is a process that I must go through in order to come back to school and I will be patient with that process.

"As I mentioned at the start of this letter, I take full responsibility for my action. I promise that when I return, I will be a better student and teammate. I want to thank all of those associated with Notre Dame for their support. I love this school, my coaches and teammates and I look forward to reengaging as an active and positive student and athlete at Notre Dame."

Without Grant, Notre Dame coach Mike Brey will need more scoring from 6-1 freshman Demetrius Jackson, who has started seven games and averages 7.6 points a game. Senior center Garrick Sherman, at 14.3 points a game, is the No. 2 scorer.

Next up for the Irish is Canisius at home on Dec. 29.

Grant is the second high-profile athlete to be dismissed from Notre Dame in the past year for academics. Quarterback Everett Golson was suspended from school for the fall semester for academic impropriety, but has since been readmitted.