Jerian Grant withdraws from Notre Dame, cites academic issues

Senior guard Jerian Grant has withdrawn from Notre Dame, according to a statement he released today. The Irish's leading scorer cited an academic matter in his dismissal from the program, and put the blame on himself:

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. 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 was enjoying a productive senior season, averaging a career-high 19 points per game. The Maryland native's field goal percentage and assist numbers had also never been higher, hitting nearly 52 percent of his shots and dishing out over six assists per game. Grant expressed in his statement that he is interested in returning to the school following the 2014 spring semester, hoping to finish his degree and rejoin the team. He has one more year of eligibility after redshirting his first year in South Bend.

Jerian's brother -- Jerami -- is a sophomore at Syracuse who is receiving even more draft buzz than his older brother.

The elder Grant is the second elite player in the country who won't suit up this season, as UNC's P.J. Hairston was not reinstated to the program after several run-ins with the law.

Notre Dame will struggle to replace Grant's production. Freshman Demetrius Jackson and senior Eric Atkins will have to step into extended backcourt minutes, with Atkins the most likely candidate to bring the ball up the floor.

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