Arizona’s Keanu Pinder, Mark Phelps suspended for violating NCAA rules

Arizona Wildcats forward Keanu Pinder and assistant coach Mark Phelps have been suspended for violating NCAA rules, Arizona Athletics announced Friday.

Phelps has been suspended without pay for five days and will miss the season-opener against NAU on Friday and UA’s game against UMBC on Sunday.

His suspension is not related to the ongoing federal investigation, the school says.

Pinder will miss Friday’s season-opener, but will return Sunday when Arizona hosts UMBC.

KVOA reports the team found out of the suspensions late Thursday night.

Arizona guard Dylan Smith is suspended for Friday’s season-opener against NAU, too, but that is due to a violation of team rules. He is also expected to return Sunday.

Arizona is also without Rawle Alkins who has a broken foot and is expected to return in December, and may be without Brandon Randolph on Friday as the freshman is still recovering from a concussion he suffered last week.

Plus, assistant coach Book Richardson was recently indicted in a recruiting bribery scandal and is no longer with the team.

Not an ideal start to the season for the Wildcats.

Follow Ryan Kelapire on Twitter at @RKelapire