Iowa State's top three-point shooter and a 22-game starter has been dismissed from the team.

The Des Moines Register reports that Caleb Grill is no longer with the team due to a "failure to meet program expectations" according to Iowa State officials. In a statement released by the school, ISU head coach T.J. Otzelberger stated that "we hold our players to high standards and there are expectations that our student-athletes are held accountable for."

The move comes as a shock to many, given the timing and Grill's history with Otzelberger. The Register reports that Grill committed to Otzelberger at South Dakota while still in high school in Maine. He then transferred twice in college to continue playing for Otzelberger at both UNLV and then Iowa State. Grill, who has not commented, did issue a statement on social media saying that he "said something that I regret which has cost me the opportunity to finish out my dream at Iowa State. I hope that all the players and Iowa State fans can find it in their hearts to forgive me."


The Register also reports that Grill also mentions mental health challenges that he faced this season. Grill wrote, "While everyone was commenting about the hair or the funny actions on the court, it was a way for me to get out of that state of mind and feel like being myself instead of the dark place I have been in this season."

The timing of the dismissal is tough for the remaining Cyclones. The Register reports that Iowa State has lost four straight games and six of its last seven. Despite the rough patch, they're still thought to be a lock for the NCAA Tournament later this month.

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