Shabazz Muhammad Sent Home For Violating NBA Rookie Transition Program Rules

The NBA career of Shabazz Muhammad has yet to start, but controversy surrounds him once again as he was booted out of the annual NBA Rookie Transition Program, USA Today reported.

Muhammad was reportedly sent home for violating a Rookie Transition Program rule after bringing a female guest into his hotel room on Tuesday night in New Jersey.

Almost 50 rookies were briefed about the rules several hours before the incident happened. It was stated in the rules and regulations that a player is not allowed to bring a guest or guests into their room without the permission or approval from program administrators.

The Minnesota Timberwolves, who selected Muhammad as the 14th overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft, were informed of the violation. Wolves president of basketball operations accepted Muhammad's punishment, saying that they fully support the rules and regulations of the league.

"We have been made aware of the circumstances surrounding Shabazz Muhammad's dismissal from the NBA's Rookie Transition Program in New Jersey. The team fully supports the NBA's rules and policies in all matters pertaining to this situation, and we will abide by the league's action," Saunders said in a statement.

On top of being sent home, Muhammad is expected to be fined by the league like previous cases wherein players were also booted out of the four-day program, which was established to help players make a seamless transition into the professional ranks through a series of seminars with guest speakers.

In 2008, then-rookies Mario Chalmers and Darrell Arthur were also punished and expelled from the program after also bringing women into their room where traces of marijuana were also discovered. Both players were fined $20,000, while Michael Beasley, who later admitted that he was also in the room with Chalmers and Arthur, was fined $50,000 by the league.

Muhammad, who spent a tumultuous collegiate career at UCLA, will have to complete the program next year with players that will be selected in the 2014 NBA Draft and other players who have not yet attended.