Rising New Zealand basketball star Tai Wynyard has been engulfed in a bizarre scandal at Kentucky.
According to US media, Wynyard, New Zealand's best collegiate basketball prospect, has been suspended - allegedly for having an armed escort at a recent college party.
Wynyard, who has had an underwhelming sophomore season after suffering a back injury and was likely to soon be ruled out for the season, was "protected" by a student who carried a gun the Louisville Courier Journal reported.
A message shared by Kentucky fraternity and sorority members and obtained by the Courier Journal stated: "There is a (person) showing up to parties with the basketball player Tai Wynyard. (The person) showed up last night to our rush party and ... had a gun ... said he was 'protecting' Wynyard. ... If you go out tonight and see (person) DO NOT APPROACH (person). Share this to EVERY SISTER."
The armed student was not charged with any criminal offence. Kentucky would not confirm that the incident was related to Wynyard's suspension, only confirming that he was suspended due to a "violation of team rules".
