Chris Obekpa to miss Tip-Off and two exhibitions for violating University policy

Chris Obekpa will miss tonight's Red Storm Tip-Off event and St. John's two preseason exhibitions for violating a University policy, the team has announced.

Obekpa, the nation's leading shot-blocker from a season ago, will not miss any regular season games due to the suspension, as he is expected to be reinstated to the team for the season opener against Wisconsin on November 8th.

"We expect our student-athletes to conduct themselves in a responsible manner in representing St. John's University," said head coach Steve Lavin in a release on Friday evening.  "Chris understands this suspension an serve as a learning experience."

The nature of the violation remains unknown and was not touched upon in the team's official release.

Last year, Lavin suspended guard D`Angelo Harrison on two different occasions, including the Johnnies' two games in the NIT, for conduct detrimental to the team.

Obekpa recorded a Big East-record 133 blocks as a freshman in 2012-13, including a school-record 11 against Fordham.  The Red Storm will certainly need his defensive presence as it tackles its schedule this season.