South Carolina suspends Thornwell for violating athletic policy

COLUMBIA, S.C. - South Carolina has indefinitely suspended leading scorer and rebounder Sindarius Thornwell.

Gamecocks coach Frank Martin said in a statement Sunday that Thornwell was suspended for violating an athletic department policy, which he did not disclose. The move came an hour before the 20th-ranked Gamecocks face Florida International at Colonial Life Arena.

Thornwell is a 6-foot-5 senior guard who has led South Carolina with 18.7 points and 6.7 rebounds a game during its 7-0 start. He's also led the Gamecocks in three-point shooting (14 of 29, 48.3 percent) and foul shooting (35 of 40, 87.5 percent).

Thornwell made the Southeastern Conference's all-freshman team in 2013-14 and its all-defensive team last season.