When the news originally broke that Louisville Cardinals guard Chris Jones was suspended, people assumed that he was guilty of a simple “unspecified violation of team rules.” That violation was reported to be a series of threatening texts sent to a woman who Jones had previous relations with. Still, that incident was swept under the rug and no explanation was given when Jones was dismissed from the Louisville program on Sunday. The Louisville-Courier Journal reported on Thursday that those indiscretions have now surfaced, and Jones has been charged with rape and sodomy.
According to those reports, one woman, age 19, and the the other, age 20, were victims of alleged rape and sodomy by Jones this past Thursday and Saturday night respectively. Two warrants had been issued for his arrest, and earlier this morning Jones turned himself in, pleaded not guilty and was released on $25,000 bond.
The University of Louisville released a statement on behalf of the team: “On Feb. 17 while at a team dinner, Coach Rick Pitino was informed of a text message sent by Chris Jones to another individual. Chris was removed from the dinner table, immediately suspended from the team. After the matter was addressed within the university and Chris surrendered his cell phone, he was permitted to return to the team on Feb. 19 with strict internal disciplinary measures attached, among which included a curfew. It was discovered shortly after noon on Feb. 22 that Chris had violated a curfew and there were other accusations, without knowing specifics. At that time, Chris was immediately dismissed from the team.”
Jones’ past track record doesn’t bode well for his chances to return to the court, and coach Pitino said in a press conference that he will not be allowed to return to the team, and everyone involved needs to move on. Jones will also reportedly undergo treatment and counsel from John Lucas, a former NBA star who battled off-court issues and works as a mentor to current student-athletes struggling with similar ordeals.
*Section Photo credit to Andy Lyons, Getty Images; Featured Photo (above) credit to Geoff Burke, USA Today Sports
