Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, October 25, 1993 TAG: 9310250069
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: CLEMSON, S.C. LENGTH: Short
\ Clemson center Sharone Wright and two other basketball players arrested after a weekend brawl are free on their good word and their coach says he will wait until the facts are in before deciding about discipline.
Wright, 20 years old and the nation's No. 2 shot blocker last season, was charged Saturday with simple assault and battery after he squirted a Mace-like substance on a Clemson University police officer, John McKenzie, Clemson's public safety director, told the Anderson (S.C.) Independent-Mail.
McKenzie said Wright, a 6-foot-10-inch junior, was attempting to break up a fight that involved two of his teammates - Devin Gray, 21, of Baltimore and Llewellyn Richie, 22, of Oakland, Calif. The two were charged with disorderly conduct.
All three were released on the promise they would return for a Nov. 10 court date. Cpl. James Gowan was not injured in the incident.
Clemson basketball coach Cliff Ellis said he would decide if any players needed punishment after police finished their investigation.
"I believe what our guys are saying," he said.
Ellis said Wright told him he never saw an officer.
McKenzie said more arrests would probably come today.
The brawl occurred between 1 a.m. and 1:30 a.m. in the parking lot of the armory, a popular late-night dance spot.
Gray was the Tigers' leading scorer last season. Wright led the ACC in rebounding. Both players were among the ACC's top 20 in scoring and top 10 in shooting percentage.
by CNB