KNOXVILLE — University of Tennessee women’s basketball player Ruby Whitehorn has pleaded guilty to two misdemeanors in exchange for judicial diversion after an altercation last month that led to her suspension from the team.
Whitehorn, a 6-foot senior guard from Detroit who transferred to Knoxville last year after two seasons at Clemson, issued her pleas during a court appearance Friday. Her attorney, Greg P. Isaacs, released a statement afterward.
“As a result of a lot of hard work and investigation, we were able to enter into a favorable plea agreement,” the statement read. “Ms. Whitehorn is an excellent student-athlete and intends to focus her attention on athletics and academics at the University of Tennessee.”
Isaacs said that if Whitehorn stays out of trouble and attends anger management classes, her record can be expunged after a year.
Whitehorn was arrested on Aug. 8 by the Knox County Sherriff’s Office. According to reports, police said Whitehorn got into an altercation outside a woman’s residence and kicked in a front door and bedroom door. Whitehorn reportedly told officers she was getting her property back after the woman took her phone and passport and then locked the door.
Isaacs previously said eyewitness accounts contradicted the accusations against his client. On Friday, a judge dismissed felony charges of domestic assault and aggravated burglary. Whitehorn pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges of aggravated trespassing and vandalism.
After her arrest, Whitehorn was suspended indefinitely from the team. A spokesperson for the Lady Volunteers said in a statement Friday to The Associated Press: “We are aware of today’s outcome and will provide an update on Ruby’s status at the appropriate time.”
Whitehorn started 28 of 34 games last season and ranked fourth in scoring on the team with 11.6 points per game while helping the Lady Vols go 24-10 in coach Kim Caldwell’s debut campaign at Tennessee, which ended with an appearance in the NCAA tournament’s Sweet 16. Whitehorn started 62 of 66 games during her two seasons at Clemson.
Tennessee’s 2025-26 regular-season schedule opens Nov. 4 against N.C. State in Greensboro, North Carolina.
Caldwell was asked about Whitehorn’s status last week during a preseason news conference covering a range of topics and called it “a frustrating situation.”
“We love Ruby, but she’s suspended indefinitely,” Caldwell said. “And because it’s an ongoing legal matter, that’s really all we’re allowed to discuss right now.”
Asked about her general policy for in-program discipline regarding off-court matters, Caldwell said: “It kind of is a case-by-case situation; this one is obviously a really tough one.”