Two Oakland players arrested; coach reportedly says charges will be dropped
Two Oakland University basketball players were released from custody Friday in Los Angeles after being arrested Thursday morning on felony charges.
According to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department website, Duke Mondy and Dante Williams were released by the Culver City Police Department at 11:30 a.m. PT.
CBSSports.com is reporting that Oakland coach Greg Kampe says that all charges will be dropped. The website initially quoted a Sheriff's Department official as confirming that Mondy and Williams had been charged with rape and that the victim was "incapable of consent." TMZ first reported the rape charges.
"They will be appropriately suspended upon review of the situation," Kampe told CBSSports.com. "This was more than going past curfew, more than breaking of team policy. It's more than that. I take it very seriously, am apologetic to our fans, apologetic to college basketball that something like this would happen."
CBSSports.com also reported that Kampe said Mondy and Williams met the alleged victim at Wednesday's Clippers game at Staples Center.
Oakland had been in Los Angeles to play UCLA on Tuesday night. The Golden Grizzlies play at California on Friday night in the first round of the Maui Invitational's mainland tournament.
Mondy, a 22-year-old senior point guard, led the nation in steals last season. He played two seasons at Providence before transferring to Oakland. Williams, 20, is a key player on coach Greg Kampe's bench.
"We are awaiting confirmation from local California authorities on the facts of the situation," said Scott MacDonald, Oakland's sports information director. "When we receive those facts, we will release a statement."
