Sophomore forward Brook Lopez has been suspended indefinitely by men’s basketball coach Trent Johnson, the team announced Thursday following an online exclusive by The Daily.

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Star Stanford big-man Brook Lopez has been suspended indefinitely by Cardinal coach Trent Johnson. Lopez was touted as a possible top-10 NBA pick in 2007, but instead chose to return to the Farm for his sophomore season. #gallery http://daily.stanford.edu/image/full/8032
Stanford Daily File Photo

Star Stanford big-man Brook Lopez has been suspended indefinitely by Cardinal coach Trent Johnson. Lopez was touted as a possible top-10 NBA pick in 2007, but instead chose to return to the Farm for his sophomore season.

Lopez — who was already scheduled to miss the Cardinal’s first nine games after being declared academically ineligible earlier this month — will no longer practice with the team. His twin brother Robin was also placed on probation, but will continue training and team activities.

Coach Johnson announced the suspension at a team meeting Wednesday night.

According to a press release issued by the University Thursday evening, Lopez was suspended for “a violation of team rules.” Sources declined to elaborate on the reasons behind the suspension and probation on the record. Johnson made it clear, however, that he was not pleased with the seven-footer’s behavior.

“First of all, he has to attend class and make practice. Show a consistency — go to class, make practice,” Johnson told the San Jose Mercury News. “It’s pretty simple. I’ve said it all along, Brook has a chance to be special. But the bottom line is you’ve got to go to class, study vigorously and you get to participate.”

Classmates of the twins said that the two had not been seen in class earlier this week.

After being ruled ineligible on Oct. 5, Brook Lopez had continued practicing with the team. The Cardinal hoped the seven-footer, who averaged 12.6 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.7 blocks last season, would return in mid-December, provided that he met academic requirements. Now, the indefinite suspension raises the question of how many more games he may miss, given that he is no longer practicing or participating in team activities.

Considered by many scouts to be a likely top-10 pick in the 2007 NBA draft, Lopez instead announced in March that he would return for his sophomore season. But he failed to complete spring quarter with the necessary 36 units and 1.8 GPA to be eligible by NCAA standards.

“Unfortunately, I have failed to live up to academic requirements and I take full responsibility for what has happened,” Lopez said earlier this month. “I regret letting down the team, the University and everyone who supports me. I promise to work hard to improve my academic standing and look forward to being back on the floor to help my team.”

Johnson, too, had expressed optimism that the sophomore would be heading back on the right track following the ineligibility ruling.

“This is a disappointment for all of us, including Brook,” Johnson said. “At the same time, we feel this could be a positive learning experience for him.”

This news was the latest in a series of setbacks for Stanford this month. After Lopez was declared ineligible two weeks ago, the Cardinal learned this weekend that highly-touted center recruit John Brandenburg would be headed instead to the University of Virginia.

Aside from the now-suspended Lopez, the Cardinal returns all five starters from last year’s squad, which finished with an 18-13 record (10-8 Pac-10) before bowing out to Louisville in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The team opens the 2007-2008 season with a home exhibition game against Concordia on Nov. 5.