Two more Missouri basketball players got into trouble with the law over the weekend, according to reports.
Steve Walentik of the Columbia Daily Tribune wrote that freshmen Jakeenan Gant and D'Angelo Allen were arrested early Sunday morning and accused in an alleged third-degree assault, according to the Columbia Police Department's public information report. The crime would be a misdemeanor, and both players were released and not taken to jail along with a third suspect, according to Walentik.
Coach Kim Anderson has suspended both players from all team activities until more information is found.
"We have high standards for the conduct of our student-athletes and expect much more from them as members of our program," Anderson said in a statement Tuesday night.
Gant headed Missouri's promising junior class as a four-star recruit out of Springfield, Ga. The 6-8 forward joined USA Basketball's U18 National Team training camp last summer and was named Mr. Basketball in Georgia after averaging 21 points, 10.5 rebounds and 4 blocks per game at Effingham County.
The Tigers also have high hopes for Allen, a 6-7 forward who won three Class 4A state championship at Kimball High School in Dallas. He earned All-Region and All-Tournament honors and was also named to the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches All-Star Team in 2014.
It's the first time any players have had run-ins with police under Anderson, although forward Torren Jones was dismissed by the team in August for an undisclosed violation of team rules. But five others had issues under Frank Haith before he left for Tulsa following the season.
Louisville transfer Zach Price was arrested twice on the same day in separate assault incidents and later kicked off the team. Earnest Ross also was accused of being involved in those incidents, although he had already used his last year of eligibility.
Guards Wes Clark and Shane Rector got suspended for Missouri's first NIT game against Davidson after police arrested them on suspicion of marijuana possession. Senior forward Tony Criswell went to court and later got kicked off the team over accusations of failing to pay rent.
The most recent arrests will make a difficult job even tougher for Anderson, who must find success with a roster full of transfers and freshmen. If Allen and especially Gant miss any significant portion of time or are dismissed from the team, it would make Mizzou's bench dangerously thin.
You can follow Luke Thompson on Twitter @FS_LukeT or email him at lukegthompson87@gmail.com.
