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Rutgers basketball player dismissed, faces deportation

Rutgers University basketball player Issa Thiam dismissed from the team and facing deportation after his arrest on domestic violence charges.

Rutgers forward Issa Thiam (35) shoots a 3-point basket over Iowa guard Jordan Bohannon during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, March 2, 2019, in Iowa City, Iowa.
Rutgers forward Issa Thiam (35) shoots a 3-point basket over Iowa guard Jordan Bohannon during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, March 2, 2019, in Iowa City, Iowa.Read moreCharlie Neibergall / AP
    by Associated Press, The Associated Press
    Published 

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. (AP) — Rutgers University basketball player Issa Thiam has been dismissed from the team and faces deportation after his arrest on domestic violence charges.

Thiam, a junior forward from Dakar, Senegal, is accused of slapping a woman and swinging a knife at her after she refused to give up her cellphone.

The Asbury Park Press reports his attorney said after Thiam's release from jail Tuesday that his client is "still in shock."

Thiam was suspended indefinitely after his arrest Friday, and then dismissed from the team Monday.

NJ.com reports Rutgers coach Steve Pikiell says the team has had many obstacles this year, and this is another one they will have to fight through.

Thiam has been ordered to surrender his passport.

A judge has also barred him from Rutgers University campus.