Kennard Davis was arrested on early Thursday morning for suspected DUI and will be suspended from the basketball team at BYU if the university upholds its Honor Code. He may even be kicked off of the team.
It will be a huge blow to the Cougars either way.
This latest development out of Provo creates a major shakeup within college basketball. A team expected to compete for a national championship will be without one of their most important starters.
Who is Kennard Davis?
Davis, a junior, arrived to BYU during the offseason after two years at Southern Illinois. The 6-foot-6 forward averaged 10.3 points on 44.6% shooting and 35.4% from three, 4.0 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game in 64 games for the Salukis.
He is a versatile wing who was expected to be one of three forwards in the rotation for the Cougars during the 2025-26 campaign. He averaged 27 minutes per game during his first two games of the season as a starter with the eighth-highest three-point field goal percentage in a debut and 10th most three-point field goals in a debut.
Unfortunately, BYU will be without Kennard Davis for the foreseeable future.
According to a press release from the Provo Police Department, officers responded to a crash at the intersection of 900 West Center St. at approximately 11:45 a.m. on Thursday morning. Officers “found reason” to arrest one of the drivers for “suspected DUI” while responding to the crash.
That driver was Davis, who was cited with DUI charges at the Provo Police Station. His car was impounded. He was later released to receive medical care for minor injuries sustained during the wreck.
The BYU Honor Code could result in suspension or expulsion for DUI.
This story will continue to develop. It is possible that Kennard Davis was wrongly arrested.
However, if he does not get off, a DUI could mark the end of his time in Provo.
The BYU Honor Code explicitly states that students must “abstain from alcoholic beverages, tobacco, tea, coffee, vaping, marijuana, and other substance abuse.” It also says that students must “obey the law and follow campus policies.”
The Drug-Free School Policy supports the honor code, requiring students and personnel to “abide by the Church Educational System Honor Code […] which includes a personal commitment to abstain […] from alcoholic beverages […] and substance abuse.” The “possession, use, or distribution of illegal drugs or alcohol” is prohibited.
Disciplinary sanctions can include dismissal but the university will consider “whether the violation constitutes a first offense […] whether the individual has requested assistance to obtain substance abuse treatment and […] any other efforts […] to correct the misconduct.” BYU also provides Substance Abuse Prevention Services from which students can seek a “consultative interview” for possible referral to outside medical help.
Davis’ case can be compared to that of Brandon Davies.
Davies was dismissed from the BYU basketball program as a sophomore in 2011 for having premarital sex with his girlfriend. He was later reinstated as a junior after spending a full season away from the team.
I do not know how DUI compares to premarital sex at BYU but I would assume they are, at least, of equal status in terms of violation. Thus, if Kennard Davis is found guilty and history is to repeat itself based on the Honor Code, the Cougars will be without him this season.