llini Star Andre Curbelo Dismissed from Southern Mississippi
Andre Curbelo, the former Illinois standout, has once again made headlines—this time not for his skills on the court.
According to the Hattiesburg American, Curbelo has been dismissed from the Southern Mississippi basketball team. Head coach Jay Ladner confirmed the decision following the team’s loss on Saturday night.
“Andre Curbelo is no longer a member of our program, and we wish him the best in his future endeavors,” Ladner stated.
Curbelo, who began his college career with Illinois in 2020, transferred to St. John’s after two seasons before joining Southern Miss. His final game was last Thursday, when he was ejected after receiving two technical fouls in a loss to Coastal Carolina.
The former Big Ten Sixth Man of the Year (2021) has faced multiple challenges since leaving Illinois. During his time at St. John’s in 2022-23, he was suspended multiple times. Last season, he missed the first 10 games with Southern Miss while awaiting an NCAA eligibility waiver. Injuries, including multiple concussions, have also impacted his career.
Despite these setbacks, Curbelo showcased his talent with a triple-double in January 2024 against Georgia State. He was averaging around 10 points and 5 assists per game for the Golden Eagles this season. However, with this being his final year of eligibility, his collegiate basketball career has now come to an end.
