AMES, Iowa — Caleb Grill is off the Iowa State men's basketball team, the school announced Wednesday.
The senior guard is no longer a Cyclone "due to a failure to meet the program’s expectations," the school said in a release.
He averaged 9.5 points and 4 rebounds per game this season while shooting 36.8% from 3-point range.
"We hold our players to high standards and there are expectations that our student-athletes are held accountable for,” head coach T.J. Otzelberger said in a statement.
Grill, a Wichita, Kan. native, played at Iowa State in 2019-20 before transferring to UNLV where Otzelberger was the head coach. He transferred back to Ames last season.
Grill released a lengthy statement around 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, saying in part:
"Unfortunately, I said something that I regret which has cost me the opportunity to finish out my dream at Iowa State. I hope that all the players and Iowa State fans can find it in their hearts to forgive me."
Within the statement, Grill references mental health issues he has played through this season while thanking his family for their continued support.
"In the end, I want to be remembered as a Cyclone no matter what my next step is," he wrote. "I love Ames and I love Iowa State and I will hopefully become [a] booster or donor someday when I get older. I love each and every person who is affiliated with Iowa State and I am proud to be an alumni of this university."
The Cyclones are 17-12 on the season and 8-9 in Big 12 Conference play.