I am currently a student @ Duke University. I have not taken any classes w/ Rasheed Sulaimon. I don't know him personally, but I have seen him on campus. I can tell you this much:
Rasheed was not dismissed for any criminal behavior ie. drugs, sexual assault, etc. He would have been dismissed from the school if that was the case.
Rasheed was indeed in very good academic standing.
Rasheed, as well as other members of the Duke basketball team, were not satisfied w/ their roles and their playing time. I guess you can say that they were told one thing during recruiting, but they're starting to realize that what they were told was just a pitch to get them to come to Duke and improve their incoming class rankings.
Of the players that were disgruntled, Rasheed was the one who spoke up the most about the situation. Word around campus is that during a team meeting he began to question Coach K in front of everyone. He's basically felt lied to and feels like the program is more interested in marketing and preparing "one and done" talents for the pros instead of winning games.
It is generally known around campus that Rasheed respected and loved Coach K. I haven't heard how he feels about Coach K now, but I've been told that his current support system through this situation is his family, a few of his professors, one of the assistant coaches, the Iron Dukes, and of course, his friends on campus.
There are the usual Coach K apologists on campus, but from what I can see, most are in disagreement, including students and faculty, with the decision made to dismiss Rasheed from the team. From the discussion I've had and listened too, most feel that the dismissal was not warranted and most are in agreement w/ the way Sheed feel's about the program.
On another note...I'd like to point out that, over the past year, their has been sort of a rift between higher ups @ Duke and w/ faculty. The result of this is that highly respected professors are electing to leave the university and take jobs elsewhere. One of my own professors told me last semester that he would be leaving the school because Duke's priorities have changed and that it's focus on academics isn't what it once was. Rumors have been floating around that professors are being pressured to go easy on the student athletes. Duke has a long of decent athletic programs aside from the basketball team ie. lacrosse, football, baseball, tennis, golf, etc. Student athletes do make up a good portion of the students attending Duke so I totally understand how this pressure can add up.
I wouldn't be surprised if Sheed holds out on saying anything until after he graduates. He is a junior now and, though he was dismissed from the team, he should be able to complete his degree. From what I've been told, he may lose his athletic scholarship, and if that's the case he'd be responsible for tuition. Not to worry though because word around campus is that the Iron Dukes and other organizations will finance the rest of his education if that happens.
Regardless of what he decides .... finish school, transfer, enter the pros, etc. .... Sheed will have a lot to say and your opinions may change about the Duke basketball program.