Marvin Stone will no longer play basketball for Kentucky. Coach Tubby Smith announced Thursday afternoon that the 6-10 junior center has been dismissed from the team.

"He will no longer be a part of the Kentucky Wildcats basketball team," Smith said. "It’s unfortunate that it has happened at this point in time, but Marvin is dealing with other issues outside of basketball. We’ll release him and he’ll be moving on."

Smith would not elaborate on what factors might be affecting Stone, only that he wouldn’t be back at UK. Smith did say, however, that Kentucky will grant Stone a release. He would have one and a half years remaining at a Division I-A school, and could play beginning in January of 2003. Smith, however, did not say that UK would allow Stone to transfer to another SEC school.

"We’ll cross that bridge later," Smith said. "I only decided this morning (to dismiss Stone)."

UK’s coach said Stone’s exit will open the door for some late recruiting. If no one is signed, the door is also open for Marquis Estill to return to scholarship.

Stone, now a junior, has always been the topic of transfer rumors as he’s come up far shy of billing as one of the nation’s best players coming out of high school. But problems escalated this year when the former McDonald’s All-American went home to Huntsville, Ala., for Christmas and never returned. He missed a 9 p.m. practice on Christmas day and the Dec. 26 workout in preparation for Saturday’s game against Louisville.

On Thursday, Smith talked with Stone and made the decision to dismiss him from the squad. "I wasn’t getting the signal that he wanted to be here," the coach said.

Players expressed surprise at Stone’s dismissal, including roommate Matt Heissenbuttel.

"I find it as strange as you do," Heissenbuttel said. "I had no idea. I didn’t even know about it until today."

That sentiment was echoed by other players.

"Me and Marvin came at the same time and decided to come here together," guard Keith Bogans said. "He is one of my best friends. It hurts to see him leave.

"You always ask questions when a guy is missing," Bogans said. "But nobody expected this to happen."

"He told us nothing," Jules Camara said. "We just found out today. I wasn't sure (what was going on). I thought it something to do with his family."

Stone’s departure opens the door for Camara and backup big man Chuck Hayes.

"Before the year, we had an outstanding front line. It was one of our strengths," Smith said. "But now we’re suddenly thin on the front line with Jason Parker’s injury and now this with Marvin. It means Jules and Marquis will have to step up and we’ll need more production from Erik Daniels, Chuck Hayes and Tayshaun Prince."

Hayes, a freshman, is eager for the challenge.

"It's a small blessing for me," Hayes said. "It's sad that a teammate left, but you have to take advantage of opportunities when they come."

Stone, who Smith calls UK’s best post defender, was averaging 5.3 points and 4.0 rebounds, but only playing 14 minutes of each 40-minute game. He played only 10 minutes against Indiana and just three minutes against Duke.

Smith said Stone’s 14 minutes would not automatically be handed to another player.

"I don’t determine playing time," the coach said. "Players determine playing time, and whoever steps froward with get those minutes."