Tennessee players indicted in rape case
Tennessee defensive back Michael Williams and former Vols linebacker A.J. Johnson were indicted on two counts each of aggravated rape by a Knox County (Tenn.) grand jury after an investigation that began in November, according to court records obtained by the Knoxville News-Sentinel
Williams’ attorney, David Eldridge, confirmed the indictment on Thursday. He said Williams surrendered and was released on a $40,000 bond but added that Williams is innocent of the charges.
Johnson’s lawyer, Tom Dilliard, said Johnson was planning to turn himself in to authorities.
The two players were identified by Knoxville police in November as suspects in the rape investigation. The case is expected to be presented to a grand jury.
Reports in mid-November indicated that a 19-year-old Tennessee student claimed that Johnson and Williams raped her at a Knoxville apartment during a party after the Vols’ win over Kentucky. Another 19-year-old women also claimed she was sexually assaulted by Williams.
Williams and Johnson were suspended indefinitely from the team after police gave its findings from the investigation to prosecutors on Dec. 12.
Kansas assistant suspended
Kansas coach Bill Self suspended assistant Jerrance Howard for two weeks after a misdemeanor drug possession in Peoria, Illinois, last summer.
Howard began serving the suspension on Thursday. He pleaded guilty in July to unlawful possession of cannabis, a Class B misdemeanor, and paid $1,178.26 in fines and court fees. He spent six months in a court supervision program, the Peoria Journal Star reported.
Self told The Kansas City Star that he just learned about Howard’s legal situation.
“I am disappointed, but on one front, just to be real candid: I’m disappointed I didn’t know about it,” Self said. “I love the guy. And the fact that I didn’t know about it regardless of what circumstances surrounded it is disappointing to me.”
Coyotes’ Hanzal faces back surgery
The Arizona Coyotes announced Thursday that Martin Hanzal will undergo back surgery and probably miss the rest of the season.
The Coyotes also recalled defenseman Brandon Gormley and forward Jordan Martinook and sent defenseman Chris Summers to Portland of the American Hockey League.
The 27-year-old Hanzal, who has not played since Jan. 29,. has eight goals in 16 assists in 37 games this season. The eight-year Coyotes veteran is expected to make a full recovery, but Arizona general manager Don Maloney called the chances for Hanzal’s return this season “remote.”
Pistons hold on to Lucas III
Guard John Lucas III signed a second 10-day contract with the Detroit Pistons on Thursday.
Lucas averaged 4.8 points, 4.0 assists and 12.8 minutes in six games with Detroit. He scored a season-high 10 points at Indiana on Feb. 4 and has recorded six assists twice in the span of his first 10-day deal with the Pistons, who signed him Feb. 2 out of the Chinese Basketball Association.
With the Fujian Sturgeons, Lucas averaged 26.6 points, 7.1 assists, 4.7 rebounds, 1.3 steals and 43.5 minutes in 26 games.
Lucas has spent six seasons in the NBA with the Houston Rockets, Chicago Bulls, Toronto Raptors and Utah Jazz, a total of 216 games.
In addition to time in the NBADL, he played in Italy, Spain and China.