Feb. 21, 2002

OXFORD, Ohio - Due to continual differences, Miami University senior forward Alex Shorts (New Orleans, La./Algee Fortier) has been dismissed from the men's basketball team, effectively immediately, head coach Charlie Coles announced Thursday morning.

"I really like Alex as a person ... we all really like Alex. It's been a tough year for both Alex and myself, and I really struggled coaching him. This was a decision that affects us all, but a decision I think will be for the best for all involved in the long run. It's not a personal thing against Alex, but it's something that I thought just had to happen."

Shorts averaged a team-leading 13.2 points per game for the RedHawks this season in 26 games.