CriminalSports: CriminalSports: NCAA Basketball

Mon, 18 Nov 2002 21:39:42 GMT

More than two years after getting fired, Bobby Knight is fighting back against Indiana University. The former Hoosiers basketball coach is suing the University, alleging he lost more than $2 million in income since he the school fired him September 10, 2000.

Police Arrest Virginia Basketball Guard on DUI Charges

Tue, 29 Oct 2002 22:29:17 GMT

LITIGATION: Bobby Knight v. Indiana U.

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Associated Press reports attorneys for Indiana University and former basketball coach Bob Knight agreed to extend the deadline for their talks on settling issues related to Knight's dismissal. Knight, who was fired Sept. 10, 2000, by IU President Myles Brand, gave the school notice early 2001 that he might sue for wrongful dismissal.

That notice claimed he suffered more than $7 million in damages, including lost income, mental humiliation and interference with his prospects for employment. Friday was the deadline for talks between the two sides about a possible settlement of the issues. IU spokesman Bill Stephan said Saturday that attorneys decided to extend the talks again by seven to 10 days.

Tue, 29 Oct 2002 22:26:54 GMT

CHARGES DISMISSED: Tony Cole, Georgia Basketball

ATHENS, Ga. -- Associated Press reports misdemeanor assault charges against former Georgia basketball player Tony Cole were dismissed Thursday when the accuser decided not to pursue the case. Cole, dismissed from the basketball team last month for misconduct, was accused of assaulting a woman in her car Aug. 19. He also was accused of making harassing telephone calls to the woman and her female roommate.

Thu, 24 Oct 2002 20:29:00 GMT

INNOCENT PLEA: Pierre Pierce, Iowa Basketball

IOWA CITY, Iowa -- Associated Press reports Iowa basketball player Pierre Pierce pleaded innocent to one count of third-degree sexual assault, according to documents filed Wednesday in Johnson County District Court. Pierce, 19, is accused of performing unwanted sex acts on a female acquaintance at a party at his Iowa City apartment Sept. 7. The criminal complaint filed states Pierce held the woman's hands over her head and covered her mouth when she tried to scream.

Wed, 16 Oct 2002 19:34:46 GMT

PLEA DEAL: Cory Sears, Kentucky Basketball

RICHMOND, Ky. -- Associated Press reports former University of Kentucky guard Cory Sears agreed Tuesday to perform 20 hours of community service, after which misdemeanor charges of alcohol intoxication and resisting arrest will be dismissed, his lawyer said. Sears was arrested on Sept. 22 in the parking lot of a Richmond drugstore. According to a police citation, Sears attempted to pull away from the officer who arrested him and in doing so nearly pulled the officer into oncoming traffic.

Sears also faces an Oct. 23 court date in Fayette County on a second-degree stalking charge. He could be fined up to $500 or jailed for up to 12 months if convicted of the misdemeanor charge. Sears was suspended from the Kentucky squad in February after fighting with a teammate on a plane trip from Georgia.

Tue, 15 Oct 2002 21:02:38 GMT

TRIAL: Donald Little, Former Cincinnati Basketball

CINCINNATI -- Cincinnati Enquirer reports Donald Little, the former University of Cincinnati basketball center, is scheduled to go to trial today on felonious assault and kidnapping charges in connection with an April attack on his roommate. Authorities said Little, 23, had lost $2,500 and blamed Hodge.

According to Hodge's statements to police, Little hit him over the head with a whiskey bottle and punched and kicked him repeatedly. Then, police said, the basketball standout taped Hodge to a plastic lawn chair, threatened him with a knife and burned him repeatedly with a heated coat hanger.

Sat, 12 Oct 2002 17:10:44 GMT

SANCTIONED: Colorado Football

BOULDER, Colo. -- Associated Press reports Colorado's football team was placed on two years' probation by the NCAA on Tuesday for recruiting violations, most of which occurred under former coach Rick Neuheisel. The NCAA cut the school's football scholarships and accepted Colorado's self-imposed recruiting limits, including reducing the number of visits by recruits. Neuheisel, now head coach at Washington, was barred from off-campus recruiting for the Huskies until May 31.

Thu, 03 Oct 2002 21:02:23 GMT

PIERRE PIERCE UPDATE: Alford Cautions Against Rush to Judgement

IOWA CITY, Iowa -- The Daily Iowan reports Iowa men's basketball coach Steve Alford cautioned some of his staunchest fans to reserve judgment on Hawkeye guard Pierre Pierce until a conviction or acquittal is reached on his alleged sexual assault charge.

"Pierre has been through a tough time -- he's suspended right now, and I'm not saying it's fair or unfair, but he doesn't need to be thinking about basketball right now," Alford said .

Pierce's attorneys maintain that the sexual contact between their client and the alleged victim was consensual. Alford said he and the remaining eight team members are behind Pierce 100 percent, adding that students should be supportive of both sides.

Thu, 03 Oct 2002 20:57:52 GMT

ED MARTIN UPDATE: Sentencing Delay

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Associated Press reports the sentencing of former Michigan booster Ed Martin has been delayed from Oct. 8 until Feb. 20. He pleaded guilty in May to conspiracy to launder money. Martin has said he took gambling money, combined it with other funds and lent it to Sacramento Kings star Chris Webber and other former Michigan basketball players and their families while the players were still amateurs.

Webber, along with his father, Mayce Webber Jr., and aunt, Charlene Johnson, are charged with lying to a grand jury and obstructing justice in Martin's case. They have pleaded innocent and their trials are not expected to begin until next year. Martin says he gave Chris Webber and his family $280,000 in cash and gifts while the basketball standout was in high school and at Michigan.

Wed, 02 Oct 2002 20:11:30 GMT

CHARGED: Pierre Pierce, Iowa Basketball

IOWA CITY, Iowa -- Associated Press reports Iowa basketball player Pierre Pierce was arrested early Tuesday on a sexual assault charge and suspended from the team. Pierce pleaded innocent and was released. He agreed not to travel outside Iowa and Illinois. The charge stems from a report filed Sept. 7 by a woman treated at a hospital emergency room the day before. Police searched Pierce's home six days later.

Defense lawyer Maggi Moss said Pierce and the woman knew each other and that any sex was consensual.

Sun, 29 Sep 2002 04:15:24 GMT

CHARGED: Emmanuel Wade & Justin Reed, Mississippi Basketball

OXFORD, Miss. -- Associated Press reports Mississippi guard Emmanuel Wade was charged with assault and resisting arrest after he was accused of hitting a police officer. Forward Justin Reed, the Rebels' leading scorer and rebounder last season, faces a misdemeanor charge of simple assault stemming from the same incident, which occurred at a skating rink parking lot on Sept. 21.

Wade faces up to five years in prison and $1,245 in fines if convicted of the felony charge. A hearing is scheduled for next month. He was booked in the Lafayette County Jail early last Saturday and released the same day on a $5,000 bond. Reed was released on $500 bond.

Thu, 26 Sep 2002 01:45:07 GMT

ARRESTED: Rashad Anderson, UConn Basketball

STORRS, Conn. -- The Daily Campus reports UConn freshman basketball player Rashad Anderson was arrested on Sept. 16. for threatening and breach of peace. The police report stated there was a complaint of a person hiding in the woods near the Hilltop dormitories dressed in black and wearing a mask. The report also stated the person was scaring pedestrians. Officers, who arrived on scene, found Anderson hiding in the woods wearing a blue jump suit, mask and he was holding what appeared to be a bloody knife. The knife was a 14-inch plastic knife with fake blood on it.

Tue, 24 Sep 2002 20:22:27 GMT

ARRAIGNED: Mayce Webber, Father of Chris Webber

DETROIT -- Associated Press reports the father of Sacramento Kings star Chris Webber was arraigned Tuesday on charges of lying to a grand jury about the player's dealings with a University of Michigan booster. An innocent plea was entered on behalf of Mayce Webber Jr., who was indicted Sept. 9 along with his son. Also indicted that day was Charlene Johnson, Chris Webber's aunt. A $10,000 bond was ordered for Mayce Webber, who did not speak in court on Tuesday. All three defendants face the same two charges -- lying to a grand jury and obstructing justice. The maximum penalty on each charge is five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Thu, 19 Sep 2002 01:32:07 GMT

SEARCH WARRANT: Pierre Pierce, Chauncey Leslie, Iowa Basketball

IOWA CITY, Iowa -- Des Moines Register reports Iowa City police investigating a report of a possible sexual assault served a warrant last week at the residence of two members of the University of Iowa men's basketball team. Police on Tuesday declined to comment on the nature of the warrant, but acknowledged an investigation is underway involving a duplex at 725 Orchard St. in Iowa City. The two basketball players - Pierre Pierce and Chauncey Leslie - were contacted Tuesday at the residence and confirmed they lived there. Each denied, however, knowing anything about a warrant or investigation.

The police involvement at the residence of Pierce and Leslie marks the latest in a string of on- and off-court concerns related to the Iowa men's basketball program.

Wed, 18 Sep 2002 22:08:25 GMT

SHOT: Matt Sylvester, Ohio State Basketball

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Associated Press reports Ohio State forward Matt Sylvester suffered a minor gunshot wound after a fight broke out at a party on September 1, the school announced Tuesday. Sylvester, a 6-7 redshirt freshman from Loveland, Ohio, was at a party with high school friends in his hometown when a fight ensued. The gunman started randomly shooting and a pellet struck Sylvester in the buttocks as he attempted to drive away.

Thu, 12 Sep 2002 03:45:39 GMT

NOT GUILTY PLEA: Chris Webber, Sacramento Kings

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Associated Press reports Chris Webber, the $123 million star of the Sacramento Kings, pleaded not guilty Wednesday to charges of lying to a grand jury and obstructing justice. Webber spoke only once at Wednesday's hearing, saying "yes'' when U.S. Magistrate Virginia Morgan asked if he understood the charges against him. His attorney, Steven Fishman of Detroit, told Morgan his client was pleading not guilty.

Morgan released Webber on a $10,000 unsecured bond and scheduled a pretrial conference for Sept. 26.

Webber is accused of interfering with the grand jury's investigation of former University of Michigan booster Ed Martin, a retired autoworker and convicted bookmaker who claims he lent Webber $280,000 while the basketball standout was in high school and at Michigan.

Tue, 10 Sep 2002 21:59:15 GMT

NCAA INVESTIGATION: Auburn Basketball

AUBURN, Ala. -- Associated Press reports the NCAA is investigating allegations that Auburn's men's basketball program improperly recruited a player who signed with another school last spring. Auburn's basketball program has been found guilty of two major violations since 1979.

Tue, 10 Sep 2002 17:32:08 GMT

DENIAL: Chris Webber, Sacramento Kings

DETROIT -- "I didn't lie," Sacramento Kings star Chris Webber told USA Today in a story published Tuesday. "The truth always comes out. What this case is about is a 70-year-old man dressed in hip-hop clothes who befriended kids and said he loved kids, and I believed him."

Webber was indicted Monday on charges he lied to a grand jury about his dealings with University of Michigan booster Ed Martin, who admits lending the NBA star $280,000 while he was still an amateur.

"I didn't know he saw my potential before I saw it. Threats were made. Those threats have come to reality. I believe this is extortion. After the trial, and I am vindicated, this case will be bigger than me lying to the grand jury, which I did not do," Webber said.

Martin pleaded guilty in May to conspiracy to launder money, admitting he took gambling money, combined it with other funds and lent it to several players while they were still amateurs.

Mon, 09 Sep 2002 23:30:39 GMT

ARRESTED: Mike Sherrod, Rutgers Basketball

PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Associated Press reports Rutgers basketball guard Mike Sherrod was charged with disorderly conduct over the weekend after he and several other men were involved in a brawl at a football game.

Mon, 09 Sep 2002 22:58:25 GMT

CHARGES DROPPED: Tony Cole, Steve Thomas, Georgia Basketball

ATHENS, Ga. -- Savannah Morning News reports two Georgia basketball players charged in a rape case were cleared a week after a football player at the school was acquitted in the case. Charges against Steve Thomas and Tony Cole were dropped Friday by Superior Court Judge Steve Jones after a request by District Attorney Ken Mauldin.

Mon, 09 Sep 2002 22:29:30 GMT

SINGING: Ed Martin, Bookmaker

ANN ARBOR – Michigan Daily reports Ed Martin and his lawyer spoke at length with representatives from the University of Michigan, the NCAA and the U.S. Attorney's Office on Aug. 2. Martin, who pleaded guilty to counts of money laundering, conspiracy and illegal gambling on May 28, was forced to reveal all the details surrounding his relationship with the basketball program's players and coaching staff as part of his plea bargain. Martin gave loans totaling $616,000 to four former Michigan basketball players - Chris Webber, Maurice Taylor, Robert Traylor and Louis Bullock - to launder money that was made through his illegal gambling ring from 1988 to 1999.

Mon, 09 Sep 2002 22:25:05 GMT

SETTLEMENT: Bob Knight, Texas Tech Basketball

INDIANAPOLIS – Bloomberg reports former Indiana University basketball coach Bob Knight agreed to pay $25,000 to settle a $1 million federal lawsuit by a former assistant coach who says Knight shoved him during an argument on Dec. 1, 1999.

Mon, 02 Sep 2002 17:30:13 GMT

COURT APPEARANCE: Marcetteaus McGee, Wisconsin

MADISON, Wis. -- Badger Herald reports Wisconsin basketball recruit Marcetteaus McGee is scheduled to appear in court Sept. 3 for arraignment on charges of second-degree sexual assault. McGee, 18, was arrested July 25 at a Wisconsin dormitory, where he had allegedly had sex with a woman from Milwaukee while she was sleeping and then attempted to dissuade her from calling the police. McGee was released from jail July 29 on bond and had a preliminary hearing Aug. 13. His trial is scheduled to commence Nov. 7.

Fri, 30 Aug 2002 21:21:00 GMT

ARRESTED: Marcus Barnes, University of Miami

MIAMI -- Miami Herald reports a little more than one week after he was arrested on suspicion of domestic violence, University of Miami starting guard Marcus Barnes was dismissed from the basketball team Thursday for ''violation of team rules,'' according to a one-sentence statement released by the university.

Wed, 28 Aug 2002 01:35:40 GMT

DISMISSED: Wendell Greenleaf, Baylor University

WACO, Texas -- Associated Press reports Baylor senior guard Wendell Greenleaf, a two-year starter, has been dismissed from the team after being arrested twice on assault charges. Greenleaf faces misdemeanor charges of assault-family violence and possession of under two ounces of marijuana. Greenleaf was already on deferred probation for an April 18 incident in which Waco police said he broke down an apartment door and slapped his ex-girlfriend.