Nov. 11, 2012

COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina head men’s basketball coach Frank Martin announced on Sunday that freshman forward Laimonas Chatkevicius will miss the first six games of the 2012-13 season.

The NCAA has determined that Chatkevicius received impermissible benefits from his host family prior to enrolling at the University of South Carolina, and as a result he will be withheld from the first six games.

In addition, walk-on freshman forward Brian Steele has been suspended from the team per athletic department policy.

South Carolina opens its 2012-13 season hosting Milwaukee on Sunday at 3 p.m. as part of the Hoops For Hope Classic. The contest will be televised on FSN.