Jan. 26, 2007

(AP) - Notre Dame point guard Kyle McAlarney plans to return to school and basketball following his suspension for a marijuana possession arrest, his father said Friday.

"He's going back to school starting this summer," Patrick McAlarney said from his home in New York.

The player's plans were first reported by The New York Times.

Bernie Cafarelli, Notre Dame's sports information director, said Kyle McAlarney had told coach Mike Brey of his wish to return to Notre Dame for the summer session. She said McAlarney, a sophomore, would have two seasons of eligibility remaining.

Janice McAlarney said this week that her son was told Monday that he could not continue to attend classes this semester. He was suspended from the team following his arrest last month.

Patrick McAlarney said Brey visited the family for about two hours Wednesday - the day after the Irish lost 71-68 to St. John's in New York - and that the coach had handled the situation well.

"That's why Kyle's going back," the elder McAlarney said. "He's loyal to his coach and loyal to his teammates and they're loyal back."

McAlarney started the first 12 games this season for the 22nd-ranked Irish (16-3) and averaged 10.3 points. The Irish have gone 5-3 since McAlarney was suspended.

The 19-year-old player entered a pretrial diversion program two weeks ago that would allow him to have the charge against him dismissed in a year if he passes random drug tests and stays out of trouble.

McAlarney was arrested after a police officer reported finding marijuana in his car Dec. 29 during a routine traffic stop a few blocks from campus. The arrest came hours after he scored a career-high 21 points against Rider.