Oregon St. Dismisses Victor Robbins

Victor Robbins has been dismissed from Oregon St. and the men's basketball team.

Robbins, who would have been a senior this coming season, was suspended half way through last season, first for 10 games, and then indefinitely, after he received a DUII citation 8 games into the initial suspension.

That event also prompted men's basketball coach Wayne Tinkle to remove Robbins from basketball activities, as well as imposing specific requirements, which Robbins has not been able to meet.

"Our No. 1 priority is making sure Victor finishes out the semester strong," Tinkle said at the time."We know that he has some issues that he has to work through, and we feel that by removing basketball from the equation for the time being, it will allow him to put the focus where he needs to. We are going to continue with our academic support, financial aid and all of those things. We have a structured plan in place for him back in Corvallis. We are going to keep our arms around him and make sure that he follows the steps that he needs to and be there to support him. But we felt that by taking basketball away for the time being is really going to allow him to channel his efforts where he needs to. We are all pulling for him. I know that our team is as well, and we are going to move forward."

The inability to meet all of those requirements meant an end to what has been a career plagued with off-court issues.

"I appreciate beaver nation 100%. I love you guys always and you treated me like family. Words can't explain how appreciative I am," Robbins said in a tweet following and confirming his departure from Oregon St. and Corvallis.

The 6'7" small forward from Compton, CA, was one of former head coach Craig Robinson's more highly anticipated recruits, and he played in 21 games as a true freshman, but was also suspended for 3 games that year by Robinson.

Robbins made 11 starts as a sophomore, but wound up playing in only 23 games, averaging just under 3 points and only 1.5 rebounds. He only played 22 minutes in the last 22 games of the Robinson era.

Robbins appeared to have been rejuvenated, thriving (by comparison) in the 6th man role for Tinkle, averaging 10.3 points and 3.5 rebounds in 15 games, with a career high 27 point game against DePaul.

But then came the suspension, and subsequently, further problems off the floor.

Robbins' suspension, and the consequential impact on Oregon St.'s limited depth, had a lot to do with the Beavers's late season slump.

It's unknown what Robbins' future may hold.

Oregon St. now has 1 available scholarship for the upcoming academic year.

Andy_Wooldrige@yahoo.com