When VCU opens the 2014-2015 season against Tennessee, it will do so without the services of Briante Weber.
The 6-foot-2 guard has been charged with petit larceny, stemming from an incident on July 24, according to Tim Pearrell of the Richmond Times-Dispatch. An incident report claims Weber stole an iPhone valued at $200. Had it been valued higher, Weber would have been charged with grand larceny, which is a felony. Petit larceny is a misdemeanor.
“Briante has failed to live up to the standards we’ve set for our program and we are holding him accountable,” VCU head coach Shaka Smart said in a statement. “Part of his discipline includes missed competition. We expect that Briante will act according to the standards of our program moving forward.”
Weber has a hearing scheduled for Sept. 25 in Manchester General District Court.
As a junior, he averaged 9.4 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game. Weber served as a vital part in Smart’s Havoc defense, coming away with 3.5 steals a night.
VCU takes on Tennessee on Friday, Nov. 14 in the inaugural Veterans Classic in Annapolis, Maryland.