Erik Copes and Vaughn Gray suspended three games for student-athlete misconduct

Vaughn Gray (left) and Erik Copes will be suspended from the first three games of the season. (Photos courtesy of Mason Athletics)

George Mason University men's basketball players Erik Copes and Vaughn Gray were suspended three games Tuesday for violating student-athlete conduct rules. Both student-athletes are sophomores and will miss the home-opener against the University of Virginia on Friday, Nov. 9, an away game versus Bucknell on Nov. 13 and the Patriots' first game of the Paradise Jam Tournament against Mercer on Nov. 16. 

According to school officials, Copes and Gray will be allowed to practice with the team but will be unable to dress for games. 

Copes was pegged as the starting center for the Patriots to start the season but it is now likely Johnny Williams will take his role in his absence.

Mason will face the University of Virginia at 7:00 p.m. on Friday at the Patriot Center. 

Connect2Mason will update this story as more information is made available.