Kentucky coach Elzy suspends All-American Howard, Wyatt

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky interim women's basketball coach Kyra Elzy suspended All-America guard Rhyne Howard for two games and forward Tatyana Wyatt for three on Wednesday just hours before the No. 11 Wildcats begin the season against Murray State.

Howard, a junior, was suspended for not upholding program standards while Wyatt, a senior, was disciplined for a violation of team rules. No specifics were stated in a news release announcing the punishment, and both players will begin their suspensions Wednesday.

Earlier this month, Howard, who averaged 23.4 points per game last season for the Wildcats, became the program’s first player to be honored as a preseason All-American by The Associated Press. She was a unanimous selection by a national media panel. Southeastern Conference coaches named Howard as the player of the year last season and as the preseason top player.

Wyatt averaged 6.5 points and 4.7 rebounds last season and led Kentucky with 42 blocks.

___

More AP women’s basketball: https://apnews.com/Womenscollegebasketball and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25