Alabama’s second-leading scorer has been removed from the men’s basketball team days before the Crimson Tide faces Hofstra in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, according to ESPN.
Aden Holloway will be off the team until Alabama’s Office of Student Conduct investigates his arrest Monday for possession of marijuana, ESPN reported.
“We’ve got standards in our program and we’ve got ways we’ve held our guy accountable and we try to keep things in-house, and some of the situations we can’t — and this is one of those,” Crimson Tide coach Nate Oats said on the “Hey Coach” radio show on Monday evening. “Situation’s a little different… I found out this morning. We had to suspend him pending the investigation. We’re certainly disappointed in his behavior.
“We still love him, he’s still our guy, we’re helping him get the help he need. As far as our team goes… we’re preparing to play without him this weekend.”
In a statement released Monday, the university said that it was “aware of the allegations” against Holloway and that he “has been removed from campus pending further investigation by the UA Office of Student Conduct.”
The school did not mention his status with the basketball team.
Holloway was arrested Monday morning after agents from the West Alabama Narcotics Task Force conducted a search of a residence near the Tuscaloosa campus and found more than a pound of marijuana, paraphernalia and cash.
The star basketball player will be charged with first-degree possession of marijuana-not for personal use and failure to affix a tax stamp.
Holloway had his bond set at $5,000, and he was released Monday morning.
The charge of first-degree possession of marijuana-not for personal use is a Class C felony, and in Alabama, it can carry a sentence of up to 10 years in jail and a $15,000 fine.
The seriousness of the situation facing Holloway is not lost on anyone, though it will have a significant impact on the basketball court for Alabama.
Holloway is averaging 16.8 points per game this season and has shot 44 percent from 3-point range.
He had 18 points for Alabama in the school’s SEC Tournament loss to Ole Miss.
The Crimson Tide will begin their NCAA Tournament run in Tampa on Friday afternoon against Hofstra, which is making its first appearance in the tournament since 2001 and earned an automatic bid after winning the CAA Tournament.
Alabama has won nine of its past 11 games.
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