AMES, Iowa -- Iowa State dismissed suspended guard Mike Taylor, the Cyclones' leading scorer last season, after a series of arrests.
"Mike and I sat down at the beginning of the summer and clearly
defined the expectations that he needed to meet in order to remain
a member of this basketball team," coach Greg McDermott said in a
written statement. "Unfortunately, Mike fell short of the goals
that were set for him."
McDermott didn't specify why he removed Taylor from the team.
Taylor, who was suspended from the team following an incident in
March, was charged with a vehicle registration violation on June
18, according to Story County court records. He was found guilty
Monday, and fined $69.80 in fines and court costs.
It was Taylor's third brush with authorities this year.
Taylor was arrested in March and charged with vandalizing an
on-campus apartment building. Taylor pleaded guilty on June 4 to
fifth-degree criminal mischief.
He was cited in April for shoplifting a bottle of cold medicine
from an Ames convenience store. He pleaded guilty to a charge of
fifth-degree theft.
Taylor spent one season at Iowa State after transferring from
Chipola College (Fla.), and quickly became Iowa State's main option
on offense. He earned honorable mention All-Big 12 honors, leading
Iowa State with 16 points and 4.5 assists a game.
Iowa State finished a surprising 15-16 last season, McDermott's
first in Ames.
"I had a great experience at Iowa State," Taylor said in a
statement released by the school. "I appreciated all of the fan
support and the opportunity to play in front of Hilton Coliseum.
However, due to circumstances I got myself into, it is in my best
interest to further my education and basketball opportunities at
another school."
Taylor's departure is a blow to the Cyclones, who will open the
season with two new starters in the backcourt for the second
straight season. McDermott signed four guards -- Diante Garrett,
Lucca Staiger, Charles Boozer and Marcus Brister -- in his 2007-08
recruiting class.