Butler Dismisses Junior Guard Chrishawn Hopkins

Projected to open the season as a starter in Brad Stevens's backcourt, Butler junior guard Chrishawn Hopkins was effectively dismissed from the Bulldogs' program on Wednesday, according to Jeff Goodman of CBS Sports.

The 6'1 Hopkins was unanimously viewed as a three-star prospect when he signed with Stevens out of high school, and was one of four returning starters on the Bulldogs' roster heading into the upcoming season. Though he shot just 36.9% from the field and 27.8% from behind the arc as a sophomore, Hopkins figured to play the role of distributor in Stevens' possession-based attack this year.

Even so, Stevens revealed to the Indianapolis Star that Hopkins was ultimately cut loose for a team rules violation. "I am sorry to have to announce that Chrishawn Hopkins has been dismissed from our team," Stevens said Wednesday. "We consider it a privilege to represent Butler University as a member of our team. With that privilege, comes a requirement and responsibility to meet the standard of our team rules. Dismissal is the consequence of a failure to do so."

A number of inexperienced youngsters will now be forced to step up with Hopkins no longer in the fold, which should also help to make Stevens's first season in the Atlantic 10 Conference even more difficult. Sophomore Jackson Aldridge from Australia is expected to get the first crack at the team's point guard job, but this is clearly a devastating blow for Butler's program with the season less than two months away.

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