Former varsity guard Marcus Smart, now a sophomore for Oklahoma State University, was suspended yesterday for three games by the Big 12 Conference for shoving a fan during Saturday’s 65-61 loss at Texas Tech. Another former varsity player, Phillip Forte, helped restrain Smart after the altercation. Smart pointed at the fan while being escorted off the court by Forte and senior guard Markel Brown. Smart, who says that the Tech fan, Jeff Orr, directed a racial slur at him after Smart flew into the crowd during a play, says that he regrets what he did.

“This is not how I [conduct] myself,” Smart said. “This is not how this program is run. This is not how I was raised.”

Smart will not travel with his team for Oklahoma State’s game today in Austin against the Texas Longhorns. He will, however, be allowed to practice with the team during the suspension. Smart will return to play with the Cowboys on February 22 in a home game against Texas Tech. It is unclear exactly what Orr said, although he denies that he used a racial slur. It is unclear whether Orr while be reprimanded.

It is also unclear whether Smart, who decided to return to collegiate basketball instead of declaring for the NBA Draft at the end of last season, will be affected when he goes pro due to his recent actions. However, Smart took full responsibility for Saturday’s altercation in his press conference yesterday.

“I let my emotions get the best of me. I can’t let that happen again. It’s something I have to learn from, a lesson I have to learn from,” Smart said. “No fingers are pointing. This is all upon me.”