Bazemore Arrested Right Before Tip-Off

Fifth year guard and NBA prospect Kent Bazemore was back-to-back CAA Defensive Player of the Year, as well as 2012 CAA first-team. Bazemore led a career that was filled with accomplishments and optimism, but he encountered some legal trouble last Wednesday night.

Bazemore was arrested by Virginia Beach Police five minutes prior to tip-off against Mercer in the CollegeInsider.com Post Season Tournament Quarterfinals on March 21.

A warrant was out for his arrest in connection to missing Alcohol Safety Action Program (ASAP) classes after being convicted of a DUI on July 23, 2011.

Old Dominion lost to Mercer 79-73 ending their post-season run.

Virginia Beach Police knew Bazemore would be present at the Ted Constant Convocation Center. Bazemore’s lawyer, Peter Decker III, said the circumstances of the arrest were “highly unusual”.

“I’ve never seen a warrant for an offense of this nature served in such a public way,” Decker said.

“I wish they would’ve called me. I would’ve driven him down there myself. It isn’t hard to find Kent Bazemore,” Decker said.

Virginia Beach Police said Bazemore was “not uncooperative” during the arrest.

“He owned up to it, he took responsibility for it,” Decker said.

Decker is unsure of why Bazemore missed his ASAP classes. He is set to attend a hearing next month. A suspended jail sentence could be put on Bazemore, but Decker said he will try to “comply with court order to finish ASAP classes.”

Fines and costs were paid at the original DUI hearing on Aug. 30, 2011. Bazemore was placed on unsupervised probation for a year. His license was restricted to use to go to and from work, ASAP meetings, school, and to transport a minor child.

Monarchs’ head coach Blaine Taylor was not aware of Bazemore’s legal trouble until after the arrest last Wednesday night.

“I wish Kent had come to me with this issue, but he didn’t. Had Kent told me, I would have told him to do what was required of him,” coach Taylor said.

“The university does have a code of conduct for all students and if there is a violation there is a process. However because of federal privacy laws, we are not permitted to talk about student records,” coach Taylor said.

Bazemore was a vital part of the Monarchs 2010 and 2011 CAA Championships and NCAA Tournament berths. With NBA type athleticism, Bazemore averaged 15.4 points, 6.1 rebounds and 2.1 steals during the 2011-2012 season.

A native of rural Kelford, N.C., Bazemore was not only a college athlete, but a Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity brother. He pledged in January 2011.

“He’s a great kid who is approaching graduation with two degrees this May and has a bright future ahead of him in basketball,” coach Taylor said. “I have full confidence that he will rectify this situation.”

Bazemore is set to graduate in May with degrees in human services and criminal justice.

By: Matthew McCracken

Sports Editor