Robert Upshaw Dismissed from Washington: Latest Details and Reaction

Robert Upshaw was dismissed from the University of Washington for a violation of team rules. Following his dismissal, Upshaw is reportedly considering a leap to the NBA D-League.

Continue for updates.

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Upshaw Looking at Potential D-League Move

Tuesday, Jan. 27

Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports reported that Robert Upshaw is considering a move to the D-League after his exit from the University of Washington.

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Upshaw Dismissed by Washington

Monday, Jan. 26

University of Washington center Robert Upshaw, who was quickly rising on NBA draft boards, has been dismissed from the program for violation of team rules. 

Head coach Lorenzo Romar announced the news on Monday, via the team's official Twitter feed:

According to Jeff Goodman of ESPN.com, he failed multiple drug tests while at Washington. 

Upshaw, who transferred to Washington after being kicked off the Fresno State team, was averaging 10.9 points, 8.2 rebounds and 4.4 blocks in 24.9 minutes per game for the Huskies. Possessing daunting size (7'0", 250 lbs), he was proving to be a dominant interior force, leading the nation in block percentage (per Sports-Reference.com) and starting to develop on offense. 

He was slotted as the No. 19 pick in DraftExpress.com's latest 2015 mock draft, but as CBS Sports' Sam Vecenie notes, his stock takes a major hit with this news: 

"

So uhh. That’s going to affect Upshaw's draft stock I would say. Now the second school he’s been dismissed from.

— Sam Vecenie (@Sam_Vecenie) January 26, 2015"

DraftExpress' Mike Schmitz and ESPN's Jeff Goodman offered their thoughts on the big man's future:

"

If Robert Upshaw had no red flags he'd be looking at an 8-10 year NBA career as a backup center. Throwing away mills. Hope he gets right.

— Mike Schmitz (@Mike_Schmitz) January 27, 2015"

As for the Huskies, who knocked off San Diego State and Oklahoma before conference play, an NCAA tournament appearance was looking less and less likely after a shaky start in the Pac-12, and this further crushes those hopes. 

It also hurts the strength of the conference, as CBS Sports' Jon Rothstein points out:

With Jernard Jarreau out for a significant period of time with a knee injury, Washington's frontcourt becomes Shawn Kemp Jr., Donaven Dorsey and Gilles Dierickx. 

The team has some terrific backcourt talent led by Nigel Williams-Goss and Andrew Andrews, but Upshaw had transformed the Huskies on the defensive end. If Romar somehow salvages a top-six Pac-12 finish, it will be his finest coaching job in several years.