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UF guard suspended

GAINESVILLE -- The Florida men's and women's basketball teams begin the season at midnight minus one player.

Sophomore guard James White was suspended Thursday for a undisclosed violation of team rules. He averaged 6.1 points and 2.9 rebounds as a reserve last season.

White, 19, will miss the first three practices in addition to Midnight Madness.

"As a coaching staff, we're 100 percent committed to James White," coach Billy Donovan said.

"However, James needs to make sure he is taking care of all of his responsibilities that come with being a part of the Gator basketball program."

Junior center Vanessa Hayden remains suspended indefinitely, coach Carolyn Peck said during Thursday's media day. Hayden, who led the nation with 126 blocked shots last season, was suspended last month. She is practicing but not with the team.

"Vanessa is suspended, but she is not kicked off the team. And I hope you understand the difference," Peck said. "She is separated from the team. I love Vanessa very much.

"I don't know what's going to happen. I know she is not with the team today, and I can't predict (whether she'll return)."

HILLS QUITS: Former Academy of the Holy Names star Sherisha Hills left the team. Hills, who has had three surgeries for two ACL injuries, played sparingly last season while trying to recover from surgery. She currently is serving an internship in Tampa.

MIDNIGHT MADNESS: The season kicks off with the annual Midnight Madness at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center, including a layup and 3-point shooting competition.

The players will hold an autograph session from 10-11:30 tonight. The teams will debut after midnight.

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