MISSOULA — Naseem Gaskin is no longer a member of the Montana men's basketball program.
Gaskin doesn't appear on the team's online roster, and a UM spokesman confirmed to MTN Sports Monday evening that Gaskin has been let go from the team and is no longer enrolled at UM.
Gaskin, 20, is currently facing charges for felony strangulation of partner and misdemeanor partner or family member assault for allegedly strangling his girlfriend on Aug. 19.
After initially appearing in court on Aug. 21, Gaskin's lawyer requested he be allowed to return to California to continue online classes with a new hearing set for Aug. 31. However, Gaskin was still in California and appeared via phone call. Arraignments need to be made in person, and MTN Sports confirmed that a plea hearing is scheduled for Sept. 14.
Gaskin was suspended from all athletic-related activities by UM on Aug. 20.
Gaskin, a native of Oakland, Calif., transferred to Montana from the University of Utah where he spent one season as a redshirt for the Utes under Montana native and former Griz player and coach Larry Krystkowiak. Gaskin then transferred to UM for the 2019-20 season and sat out due to transfer rules after failing to obtain a waiver from the NCAA to play right away. Gaskin was expected to compete for starter's minutes at the guard position this season and had three years of eligibility remaining.
If Gaskin were to plead guilty or no contest to the charges, or ultimately found guilty, under the Serious Misconduct Policy the Big Sky Conference implemented in 2019-20, the student-athlete "shall not be eligible for athletically-related financial aid, practice or competition at a Big Sky member institution."
Under the policy, serious misconduct is defined as "any act of sexual violence, domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, sexual exploitation, or any assault that employs the use of a deadly weapon or causes serious bodily injury."
