Tennessee Senior Ruby Whitehorn Dismissed After Second Arrest
Ruby Whitehorn, a senior starting guard for the Tennessee Lady Volunteers basketball team, has been dismissed from the program following her second arrest. Coach Kim Caldwell addressed the situation, emphasizing her role in maintaining high standards for the team. Caldwell stated, “In light of recent events, Ruby has been unable to reflect those standards, and I have made the difficult decision to dismiss her from our team.”
Tennessee Senior Ruby Whitehorn’s Arrests
Whitehorn’s recent legal troubles began with her arrest on October 30, 2023, at 4:31 a.m. University police cited her for possession of marijuana. This incident occurred just hours after she scored 18 points in Tennessee’s impressive 148-48 exhibition victory over Columbus State.
- Second arrest: October 30, 2023, for possession of marijuana.
- First arrest: August 2023, charged with aggravated burglary and domestic assault.
In the earlier incident, Whitehorn allegedly kicked in a woman’s bedroom door and a front door during a dispute. She claimed she was trying to retrieve her passport and phone, which she indicated had been taken from her.
Previous Suspension and Reinstatement
Following her first arrest, Whitehorn was suspended from the team. She was reinstated in September after pleading guilty to two misdemeanors, securing a judicial diversion deal. During her time at Clemson, she started in 62 of 66 games, averaging 12.3 points per game in her sophomore season.
Tennessee Lady Volunteers’ Future Without Whitehorn
In the previous season with Tennessee, Whitehorn averaged 11.6 points and 4.0 rebounds, contributing significantly to the team’s advancement to the Sweet 16. Caldwell had expressed enthusiasm about Whitehorn’s impact when she joined the team. However, with her dismissal, the Lady Vols must now refocus their strategy.
After her recent arrest, Ruby Whitehorn took to Instagram to apologize, acknowledging her failure to maintain the standards set by the Lady Vol legacy.
The Lady Volunteers are set to open their season against No. 9 NC State on Tuesday in Greensboro, North Carolina. The team faces the challenge of moving forward without one of their key players as they aim to uphold their competitive spirit and reputation.
