Sophomore A.J. Stewart has had an eventful week off the court because of an uneventful stretch on it.

Stewart, apparently unhappy with his lack of playing time, quit the team upon returning to Lexington after Wednesday’s 77-59 loss to South Carolina in Columbia, S.C. UK head coach Billy Gillispie said Stewart had an outburst directed at someone within the program (who Gillispie declined to identify) after the loss.

Gillispie said Stewart came to him the next day to be reinstated. According to Gillispie, Stewart “tried to pull a technicality,” saying he never really quit.

Gillispie consulted his players, and both parties agreed to welcome Stewart back.

“Those things happen from time to time,” Gillispie said while announcing the move at a Friday news conference. “People make mistakes from time to time. Sometimes when you have a little time for remorse, you realize just how lucky and fortunate you are. I don’t think that with young people, or with anybody, they should be punished forever for having a tough night.”

Stewart’s tough night Wednesday showed in the box score: three minutes played, one rebound and no shots taken.

Fellow sophomore Patrick Patterson carried the load for the Cats against South Carolina, mounting 28 points and 12 rebounds in the loss. Gillispie lauded Patterson’s play before adding Patterson had “zero help” from teammates, Stewart included.

After the smoke cleared and the altercation seemingly straightened out, Patterson said he was glad to see Stewart back with the team.

“He’s part of the team,” Patterson said. “No matter what he does, no matter if he messes up, we’re all a family. We want him on this team.”

Stewart practiced with the team Friday and will be available Saturday against No. 18 Louisiana State. Gillispie chose not to suspend Stewart over the incident, but he did not indicate how much floor time Stewart would see Saturday — not unlike any other game of the year.

“He’ll be available. He may play, he may not. If you would’ve asked me before (Wednesday’s) game if he would’ve been available, I would’ve said, ‘Yeah, he may play and he may not play.’ His status has not changed.”