National Basketball Association News
Pacers suspend F Williams
Sep 13, 2007, 20:46 GMT
Indianapolis, IN - The Indiana Pacers suspended Shawne Williams for three games on Thursday following his arrest on Tuesday morning.
He is to serve the suspension during the Pacers' opening games of the regular season against Washington, Miami and Memphis.
Williams and two occupants in his vehicle were arrested by Indianapolis Metropolitan Police during a traffic stop.
His arrest on Tuesday was the third time in less than a year that Pacers players have landed in legal trouble for their off-court actions.
'We are making it clear to our players and our fans that this franchise is going in a different direction,' Pacers president Larry Bird said in a statement Thursday. 'Shawne put himself in a position that placed the franchise in a poor light. He's a good kid who made a bad decision.'
An initial hearing for Williams is scheduled for Friday in Marion Superior Court.
The 6-foot-9 Williams, Indiana's first round pick in 2006, averaged 3.9 points and 1.8 rebounds in 46 games last season for the Pacers.
© 2007 The Sports Network
