Basketball: Suspended Kiwi Tai Wynyard to leave University of Kentucky

Tai Wynyard. Photo / Dean Purcell

One of New Zealand's top basketball prospects Tai Wynyard has announced that he will leave the University of Kentucky after a tumultuous two years at the prestigious US college.

The 20-year-old was suspended in February after allegedly attending a party with an armed student.

The Courier Journal reported that University of Kentucky students used a group messaging app to warn each other about a student who potentially carried a gun to a party.

Kentucky didn't provide details about Wynyard's suspension and would not confirm if it was connected to the gun incident.

Wynyard, who struggled with a back injury for most of the season, only played 97 minutes across two season at the college, scoring just 19 points.

"I want to thank everyone who has played a part in my two and a half years at Kentucky - everyone from the coaches to my teammates to the managers and the staff," said Wynyard.

"Everyone played huge roles in my time here. I've been lucky enough to have gained experiences one could only hope to have in a lifetime. I've had the privilege of playing with and against some of the best talent in the country at Kentucky and my hope is to one day follow in their footsteps.

"This decision wasn't an easy one for me to make and I appreciate the commitment and support coach Cal [John Calipari] and the staff gave me in reaching it. My goals haven't changed. After meeting with Cal, something that he always talks about is doing what's best for the individual. Everyone is on a different path."

Kentucky were eliminated at the sweet sixteen stage of this year's NCAA tournament.