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Georgia Tech suspends two for NCAA rules violations

AAC Basketball Tournament - Championship

ORLANDO, FL - MARCH 13: Head coach Josh Pastner of the Memphis Tigers calls a play during the Final of the 2016 AAC Basketball Tournament against the Connecticut Huskies at Amway Center on March 13, 2016 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

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A pair of Georgia Tech players have been suspended after the school self-reported they received impermissible benefits for a person who is “neither employed by Georgia Tech athletics nor a booster,” it was announced Thursday.

Senior Tadric Jackson and sophomore Josh Okogie will be withheld from regular season competition until there is a resolution from the NCAA on their situation.

“While we never want to learn that NCAA rules violations have occurred, I applaud coach (Josh) Pastner and our compliance staff for taking immediate action as soon as these violations came to light,” Georgia Tech director of athletics Todd Stansbury said in a statement. “I continue to be proud of the culture of compliance within our men’s basketball program and across the board here at Georgia Tech. As a department, we will use this as an opportunity to review our protocols and our educational efforts and will continue to prioritize compliance with NCAA rules.”

Pastner, according to the school, became aware of possible violations early last month and reported it to the Georgia Tech compliance office. An internal investigation revealed the violations “were isolated and occurred without the knowledge of the coaching staff,” according to the school. Jackson is said to have received less than $525 worth of apparel, meals and transportation and Okogie, who is currently sidelined with a compound fracture in his finger, less than $750 from the same individual.

“Nothing is more important to me than having an atmosphere of compliance,” Pastner said in a statement. “This isolated situation can and will be a learning opportunity for our entire program. We’re moving ahead and looking forward to having Tadric and Josh back in game action early this season.”

Jackson, who will play in Georgia Tech’s exhibition game but not in its opener next week against UCLA, averaged 12.1 points, 2.2 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game last season. Okogi averaged 16.1 points and 5.4 rebounds.