Court date delayed for KU basketball player charged with possessing alcohol

By George Diepenbrock     Dec 27, 2011

A Tuesday afternoon court date for Ben McLemore, the Kansas University basketball player who faces a a charge of minor in possession of alcohol, has been delayed.

According to court records, Lawrence attorney Al Lopes, also a former KU player, recently entered his appearance to represent McLemore, and District Judge Peggy Kittel granted a defense request to delay Tuesday’s arraignment until Jan. 19.

McLemore was ticketed Nov. 4 after a state Alcoholic Beverage Control officer alleged the 18-year-old freshman was found with a Red Bull and vodka drink at Abe and Jake’s Landing, 8 E. Sixth St. On Dec. 13, McLemore was arrested and posted $500 bond on a warrant after he failed to appear in court Dec. 6.

KU coach Bill Self said after the arrest McLemore did not let anyone know he had been cited, otherwise team officials would have made sure he appeared in court. Self said discipline would be handled internally.

McLemore, of St. Louis, is ineligible to play in games this year after the NCAA declared him a partial academic qualifier. Self also has said McLemore was expected to begin practicing with the team in January after his fall semester grades are turned in.

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