Virginia Lacrosse Dismisses Shamel Bratton

Former lacrosse star Shamel Bratton has been dismissed from the University of Virginia men’s lacrosse team, the school announced Friday.

Bratton, a 6-foot, 1-inch senior and first-team All-American midfielder last season, is considered one of the most gifted schoolboy athletes in Long Island history.

Virginia coach Dom Starsia announced the dismissal, citing a violation of team policies.

"I want to wish Shamel the very best in his future endeavors," Starsia said. "He has made many contributions to the program. At the same time, there are standards of behavior within the framework of the team that we expect to be met by all of our student-athletes. Failure to do so on a consistent basis has resulted in the loss of the privilege of being a member of this team."

According to The Daily Progress, twin brother Rhamel Bratton, also a senior midfielder at Virginia, has been suspended indefinitely.

Shamel Bratton was taken by the Boston Cannons in Major League Lacrosse’s January draft. But his senior season didn’t go as expected. He racked up 20 goals and eight assists, but on just 22 percent shooting.

And the Cavaliers, who were preseason No. 2, stumbled to the finish. One week after getting drubbed in a semifinal loss to rival Duke in the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament, Bratton is out.

Both brothers sat out the Stony Brook game earlier this season after being suspended. Shamel also was disciplined and missed the Maryland game. A Washington Post account said Virginia teammates voted to kick Shamel Bratton off the team.

At Huntington, Shamel Bratton was a Newsday All-Long Island wide receiver in football, a two-time All-American in lacrosse and led the boys basketball team to a Suffolk title as a junior. He was part of a dynastic run in lacrosse that included three straight Long Island titles and a pair of state championships.

Shamel Bratton leaves Virginia as its all-time career points leader among midfielders with 129 points. He had 89 goals and 40 assists.

It's unclear whether Rhamel Bratton will play again.