Freshman forward Laimonas Chatkevicius will miss the first six games of the 2012-13 season, the school announced Sunday.

According to South Carolina, the NCAA determined that Chatkevicius received impermissible benefits from his host family before enrolling in Columbia. As a result he will be withheld from the first six games.

In addition, walk-on freshman forward Brian Steele has been suspended for an undisclosed violation.

South Carolina opens season Sunday against Milwaukee. The contest will be televised on FSN.