Sophomore guard Billy Edelin did not practice Thursday afternoon and will not travel with the Syracuse men’s basketball team Friday for its game with Miami on Saturday at 2 p.m. at the Convocation Center.

Edelin will be out for an indefinite period of time, a statement released Thursday by the Syracuse Department of Athletics said.

‘Edelin will be out for an indefinite period as he continues to deal with personal issues not related to basketball or academics,’ the statement read. ‘(SU head coach Jim) Boeheim, who referred to Edelin as a member of the program’s family, said the basketball team will continue to support Edelin as he works through his issues.’

Edelin was at the Carrier Dome in street clothes before practice but left when it began at about 4:30 p.m. Boeheim asked that television cameras be removed from practice, telling them they were there to film somebody who wasn’t there.

Edelin was held out of games against Virginia Tech and Connecticut earlier this year. He participated in pregame warm-ups and sat on the bench for those two games. Boeheim issued a statement before the Tech game, saying Edelin would not play because of ‘personal issues.’

The sophomore guard returned against Providence on Feb. 7 and logged 23 minutes.

But he didn’t show up for Tuesday’s game against Rutgers. After the game Tuesday, Boeheim declined comment on Edelin, only saying that a statement would be released.

‘Like with any member of your family, you want to try to work them out, try to resolve them in the best way for Billy,’ Boeheim said. ‘That’s my only concern with him, that he does what’s best for him. It has nothing to do with basketball or anything else.’

Edelin missed what would have been his freshman season after he was accused of sexual misconduct. Last year, he was suspended for 12 games for playing in non-sanctioned recreation basketball games.

The Miami game will be the fourth game Edelin has missed this season.

‘It’s just something he’s had a difficult time dealing with,’ Boeheim said. ‘They are obviously personal issues that we can’t go into. You hope that we can resolve them and do what’s best for him.’

Published on February 12, 2004 at 12:00 pm