Memphis Mafia: Elvis' Tune May Be Jailhouse Jock Rather Than Jailhouse Rock

The 45th anniversary of death of rock 'n' roll icon Elvis Presley occurred last year. "Memphis Mafia" was the tag given by him to hangers-on whose principal functions were to deliver everything to "The King" on a silver platter. His closest friends and employees embraced the acronym TCB ("Taking Care of Business"). But Elvis' Jailhouse Rock on 45 RPM record takes on a whole new meaning as soft-on-crime Memphis descends deeper into a cesspool. Junk judicial system in #Dimorat-governed municipalities was depicted again in Memphis a year ago allowing early-morning jogger/kindergarten teacher to be kidnapped and murdered by stalker before live-streamed shooting spree killing of four people by another demented local loser. In the fall, Northwestern State's football squad cancelled remainder of its season in late October after a Memphis product allegedly shot and murdered a teammate.

In music lingo, Don't Be Cruel while cancelling "Gone With the Wind" screenings, but it is Now or Never to face some Fever facts. Within a month of Elvis' commemoration, Memphis was All Shook Up when reminded again how it resembles a hell-hole In the Ghetto facing huge problem of a fundamental absence of dignity and direction. Resembling community-at-large, multiple former Memphis-connected hoopers generated Heartbreak Hotel headlines by running afoul of the law. Any Day Now, it might be hailed as more Memphis Mayhem or Memphis Mess than Memphis Mafia, but Elvis would have been singing a spinoff called Jailhouse Jock stemming from the inordinate number of Memphis Misfits including a pair of coach Penny Hardaway's recent prize hoop prospects - Emoni Bates (felony gun charge in Michigan dismissed following plea deal) and Mikey Williams (arrested in San Diego in mid-April 2023 on charge of assault with deadly weapon). Hardaway may be ambivalent to gun toting after he was charged with intimidating his girlfriend with a handgun in late 2000. While sitting out 1990-91 season with the Tigers because of scholastic shortcomings, Hardaway was robbed at gunpoint outside his cousin's residence and hit in the foot by a stray bullet.

Rather than focusing on avoiding being kicked to the curb, former Memphis Grizzlies coach David Fizdale might not have been intentionally seeking Trouble evoking suspect values of civil-rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. in imploring Memphis to remove Confederate statues. MLK Jr. was assassinated in Memphis in 1968 after traveling there in support of striking African-American city sanitation workers. But unless delusional Fizdale simplistically thought his instant-impulse personal pinata, The Devil in Disguise (#TheDonald), is solely responsible for total eclipse of values in Memphis the last three decades or so, Suspicious Minds could counter that culture rot needing sanitized in "Home of the Blues" should dwell a mite more on personal responsibility and scholars worshiped simply because they can jump "high" and dribble a basketball.

It isn't Always On My Mind and wasn't delivered like some masked Antifa anarchist, but Fizdale is well known for his insulting "Take that for data!" NBA playoffs rant. In a Return to Sender of sorts, only A Fool Such As I should remind him about former Tigers coach Dana Kirk's grotesque graduation data (six of his 60 four-year scholarship players earned diplomas during 1980s before he was imprisoned). Amid excessive educational exploitation and abject failure of local leadership exemplified by sordid AAU sexual abuse stories earlier the last decade, the academic anemia can't possibly be portrayed in a more favorable light in the 21st Century by Fizdale or anyone credible in his vocation. After all, many pro and college coaches are more concerned about patronizing African-American lifeline fond of free "Obama" phones by phoning it in driving hard-left free advertising down our throats dumping on Donald rather than steadfastly supporting stronger scholastic standards.

Physician (or left-coast native coach in this instance), heal thyself! OK, genius! Do you want USC's mascot steed in your home state of California put to sleep since its name (Traveler) is same as Lee's famous horse? Should Elvis statue on Beale Street come down because he initiated Blue Suede Shoes meeting with a Republican President (Richard Nixon won stunning 1/3 of black vote in national elections)? Social scholar probably supports substituting Presley with Fizdale's most visible veteran player (wayward Zach Randolph). Anyone defending Memphis' misguided priorities is indeed "stupid or sick" unless, of course, you're a social genius like San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich. At the risk of needing to write SSN on forearm to cope with torrent of left-wing indignation, Shake, Rattle and Roll while trying to answer some sarcastic questions. Does this selective outrage include putting MLK memorial on chopping block because he was a sexist and womanizer? How about boycotting race baiter Al "No So" Sharpton since he is a tax cheat or banning any sports reference to "lefty" #AudacityofHype following feeble mom-jeans heave at MLB All-Star Game impressing only the less-than-intelligent community?

How did p-c pansies ruin our sensibilities to the point of contemplating whether ESPN (Extra Sensitive Pious Network), a sports network without balls except those exposed by Scott Van Pelt's old radio show partner, should possibly prohibit former sage Bob Ley (short for Robert; sounds same as Lee) from generalizing about African-American activity crossing border into Charlottesville? In order to adequately TCB, Fizdale (now in Utah Jazz front office after member of Minnesota Timberwolves traveling party reportedly was robbed at knifepoint this spring) and other victim-hood leaders should focus on issues far exceeding the importance of inanimate objects. #TheDonald might call the municipality a spit-hole when it comes to supplying authentic student-athletes. Monument Mania moguls, including equally left-leaning USA Today sanctioning ESPN's foolishness, need to help reduce the following alarming number of Memphis-based or Memphis-connected collegiate members of alternate-universe KKK (Known Knucklehead Kings) detailed in the following alphabetical "lineup" list:

Andre Allen, Memphis (coach was John Calipari) - Arrested in fall of 2010 and faced charges including possession of marijuana with intent to sell, improper display of registration and violation of light law. Police also noticed a loaded handgun in Allen's pants although he had a handgun carry permit. The backup to standout point guard Derrick Rose was suspended from the Tigers' 2008 squad before it reached the Final Four for failing an NCAA-mandated drug test. He spent his first season out of uniform focusing on academics and dealing with charges of soliciting a prostitute. In the fall of 2014, Allen was arrested after officials said they found money, pot and a stolen loaded gun in his Cadillac. In late March 2019, he was arrested at his residence after narcotics detectives executed a search warrant.

Vincent Askew, Memphis State (Kirk) - Freshman starter for the Tigers' 1985 Final Four team was arrested in mid-August 2008, accused of unlawfully having sex with a minor (16-year-old girl) in a Miami hotel room. He pleaded guilty to a charge of child abuse with no great bodily harm and was placed on probation for three years. Briefly coached Elliston Baptist Academy in Memphis before leaving the job under a cloud. Attended summer school at Kansas under Larry Brown before budding transfer returned to Memphis. KU was placed on probation stemming from wrongdoing in connection with improper inducements to Askew.

Adrian Banks, Arkansas State (Dickey Nutt) - ASU's scoring leader early in the 2007-08 campaign when arrested for firing a handgun within Jonesboro city limits in the wee hours of the morning (suspended for about a month). Juco recruit told police he found the gun at a nightclub where a fight was breaking out. "I found the gun on the ground and didn't want anyone to get shot, so I shot the gun until it was empty," Banks said according to the police report in what could be described as Exhibit A for logic of the moronic.

Sean Banks, Memphis (Calipari) - C-USA Freshman of the Year in 2004 and three accomplices allegedly linked to a ring known as the James Bond Gang were arrested in his home state of New Jersey in early August 2011 after a couple of luxury-home burglaries and high-speed chase. More than $20,000 in jewelry and other valuables taken during the two heists were found in the stolen SUV. A marijuana arrest, disruptive behavior and academic issues forced Banks' departure from Memphis midway through his sophomore season. Suspended several games in high school after being a passenger in a car that police attempted to stop for driving erratically before it sped off. Upon ditching the auto, Banks and the other passengers tried to run off, but were caught. According to ShamSports.com, Banks' background included an arrest for burning a gang insignia into a teenage girl's leg. In late September 2013, he was arrested in connection with a domestic violence complaint involving the mother of his child.

Arthur Barclay, Memphis (Calipari) - Democratic Party politician represented the 5th Legislative District in the N.J. General Assembly from when he was sworn into office in early 2016 until resigning in mid-June 2018 following assault charge related to domestic violence (punching girlfriend in face breaking her nose although judge dismissed case after victim failed to appear at hearing). Five years later, he was issued a summons for causing serious injury to a pedestrian while driving with a suspended license. Barclay, who tagged along with high school teammate Dajuan Wagner from Camden, N.J. (sixth pick overall in 2002 NBA draft following freshman season), averaged 2.2 ppg and 3.2 rpg from 2001-02 through 2004-05 (redshirt in 2002-03).

Emoni Bates, Memphis (Hardaway) - Arrested in mid-September 2022 on felony gun charges (Eastern Michigan transfer and eventual 2023 NBA second-round draft choice was sentenced to 18 months of probation after pleading guilty to misdemeanor gun charge). Bates, previously ranked as the #1 prospect in his high school class, was pulled over on a routine traffic stop after failing to stop at an intersection.

Corey Beck, Arkansas (Nolan Richardson Jr.) - Arrested at 2:00 a.m. midway through 1992-93 season for allegedly driving while intoxicated before pacing the NCAA champion Hogs in assists and steals the next campaign. In early November 2004, he was jailed for the third time in two years for failure to pay child support and violating his probation. According to court documents, Beck flunked multiple drug tests for cocaine, admitted to marijuana use and lied to his probation officer about where he lived. In the fall of 2007, he was shot in the hand and face defending himself during an attempted auto theft in Memphis. Arrested in summer of 2008 for contempt of court stemming from failure to pay child support for four daughters. In summer of 2010, he was booked into jail at almost 3:00 a.m. following an arrest for driving while intoxicated. Arrested in late January 2013 for failure to pay fines and costs in connection with his conviction for driving while intoxicated and other traffic offenses in 2011. In early 2013, Beck was arrest for failure to pay fines and costs.

William Bedford, Memphis State (Kirk) - All-American as a junior in 1985-86 was arrested in February 2001 after Taylor, Mich., police said they found 25 pounds of marijuana in his car. Subsequently served time in a Fort Worth, Tex., prison on drug-related charges. In 1987, he was subpoenaed by a Maricopa County (Ariz.) grand jury investigating drug use among Phoenix Suns players and testified against his teammates after receiving immunity. In March 1988, Bedford admitted he was addicted to cocaine and marijuana and was committed to the NBA's treatment facility in Van Nuys, Calif. Known as "Willie B" - as in "Will he be at practice?" - Bedford relapsed the following October and was readmitted to the clinic. When he returned, his behavior on and off the court grew more erratic. He received a dozen traffic tickets and 10 license suspensions in less than four years. In September 1997, Bedford, who was on three years probation at the time, tested positive for cocaine and was sent to a Texas state jail for one year. Also arrested in Texas for failing to pay more than $300,000 in child support.

Leron Black, Illinois (John Groce) - Memphis native, after missing much of season because of a knee injury, pleaded guilty to misdemeanor aggravated assault stemming from his arrest in mid-February 2016 for allegedly pulling a knife on a bouncer at a nightclub.

Jarekious Bradley, Kent State (Rob Senderoff)/Southeast Missouri State (Dickey Nutt) - Memphis recruit was arrested in mid-July 2011 after an incident with his former girlfriend resulted in charges of aggravated burglary and criminal damaging. A woman claimed Bradley came inside her apartment without permission and demanded money he felt she owed him. At one point, deputies say, Bradley tried to remove money from the woman's purse, prompting a physical confrontation between them with the woman incurring an injury. Other individuals in the apartment gave Bradley money and he left.

Antonio Burks, Memphis (Calipari) - C-USA Player of the Year in 2003-04 was shot by a robber (subsequently sentenced to 97 years in prison) in the abdomen during a dice game in 2009 in the backyard of a vacant duplex. In early June 2015, he was arrested after a fight with his girlfriend. In the fall of 2006, Burks was arrested for not appearing in court regarding a speeding ticket. In late July 2021, Burks was arrested for illegal gambling.

Charles Carmouche, Memphis (Josh Pastner) - Starting guard for the Tigers' 2011 NCAA tourney team, sandwiched between stints with New Orleans and Louisiana State, was booked in New Orleans in December of 2017 for possession with intent to distribute marijuana.

Randy Carter, Minnesota (Clem Haskins) - Four-year starting forward from 1990-91 through 1993-94 was sentenced to six months in a federal "boot camp" after Memphis product pleaded guilty to cocaine distribution charge involving a government informant.

Raynardo Curry, Western Kentucky (Dennis Felton) - Two-time leader in steals was kicked off WKU's team following 2001-02 season after drug arrest. Faced similar charges earlier in the year. Memphis product previously served three days in jail after pleading guilty to receiving stolen property worth less than $300.

Michael Dixon Jr., Missouri (Mike Anderson and Frank Haith)/Memphis (Pastner) - Big 12 Conference Sixth Man of the Year before receiving same award in AAC in 2013-14 was accused of forcible rape in late summer following Mizzou's 30-5 season in 2011-12, but it was determined there was insufficient evidence to the criminal charges. He was suspended for "a violation of team rules" by the Tigers before choosing to transfer after it was revealed there was another similar incident 2 1/2 years earlier when the alleged victim declined to press charges following coach Anderson reminding her how campus life could become uncomfortable if she proceeded. In a campus police report unearthed by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, an MU employee at the time involved in the first incident said Dixon threatened her if she got pregnant ("kick her in the stomach and push her down the stairs"). Dixon was also suspended in mid-December 2010 for violating team rules. Playing professionally overseas, he was involved in fatal auto accident in Athens, Greece, in early December 2016.

Chris Douglas-Roberts, Memphis (Calipari) - NCAA unanimous first-team All-American in 2007-08 pleaded guilty to his involvement in a scheme where nearly 20 NBA players were indicted for fraudulent chiropractic/dental claims. Detroit product Roberts reportedly was a witness threatened by ringleader Terrence Williams, a Louisville All-American in 2008-09 who pleaded guilty to conspiracy and identity theft charges.

Robert Dozier, Memphis (Calipari) - Police took simple assault domestic violence report during 2007-08 campaign before complaint stemming from argument at 3:30 a.m. outside a nightclub was dismissed. Georgia denied him admission in his home state because of questions about SAT score. In mid-February 2019, he was arrested on a domestic assault charge in attack reportedly leaving victim with dislocated shoulder and finger.

Tony Dumas, UMKC (Lee Hunt) - The Kangaroos' leading scorer from 1991-92 through 1993-94 was sued in spring of 1996 by his pregnant girlfriend, accusing him of drinking excessively and subjecting her to a "pattern of physical, verbal and emotional abuse." Several months earlier, member of UMKC's Metro Memphis pipeline was arrested and charged with falsely reporting to police that his car had been stolen.

Tyreke Evans, Memphis (Calipari) - C-USA Rookie of the Year in 2008-09 as Derrick Rose's successor (17.1 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 3.9 apg and 2.1 spg) was arrested at gunpoint in spring of 2010 and charged with reckless driving (120 to 130 MPH in purple Mercedes on Sacramento interstate). Dismissed and disqualified from the NBA for two seasons (2019-20 and 2020-21) after violating terms of league's Anti-Drug Program. He was suspended for one game by the Indiana Pacers early in 2018-19 campaign for tardiness and missed contests later in the season for personal reasons.

Sylvester "Deuce" Ford Jr., Memphis (Larry Finch)/Louisiana State (Dale Brown) - Dismissed from LSU for ubiquitous "violation of team rules" after averaging 11.5 ppg and 5.4 rpg in 17 games in 1995-96.

Cameron Golden, Arkansas State (John Brady) - Three-year starting guard dismissed from squad in fall of 2015 following Memphis product's aggravated robbery arrest.

Greg Hardy, Mississippi (Andy Kennedy) - Backup freshman forward in 2006-07 was arrested as an NFL defensive end. Memphis product missed majority of the 2014 season following charge of attacking and threatening his girlfriend. Arrested in Texas in fall of 2016 on a cocaine possession charge.

Cedric Henderson, Memphis (Finch) - Forward who averaged 13.8 ppg and 5.2 rpg from 1993-94 through 1996-97 was found not guilty in spring of 2016 of domestic violence charges.

Jason Henry, Arkansas (John Pelphrey) - Sentenced to six years in prison after his conviction on prostitution charges. According to a police report, pimp known as "Allstar" was booked in late March 2015 on multiple sex crimes, including the possible rape of a 14-year-old girl. West Memphis product started twice as a freshman but was suspended three times by the Hogs during the 2008-09 campaign and dismissed from the program prior to sophomore season.

Baskerville Holmes, Memphis State (Kirk) - A starting forward who averaged 9.6 ppg and 5.9 rpg for the Tigers' 1985 Final Four team, he was arrested twice for domestic violence. Later, Holmes, an out-of-work truck driver, and his girlfriend were found shot to death March 18, 1997 in an apparent murder-suicide. He was 32.

Jerrell Houston, Mississippi State (Rick Stansbury)/Tennessee State (Cy Alexander) - Redshirt forward kicked off MSU's squad midway through 2005-06 campaign for violating unspecified rules. Memphis native broke a team rule at the beginning of the school year and was suspended for the exhibition season.

Ron Huery, Arkansas (Richardson) - Received a five-year prison sentence in mid-2008 for violating his probation and attempting to break into his ex-girlfriend's home. Arrested in mid-July 2005 on charges of rape, first-degree false imprisonment and third-degree domestic battery, plus a misdemeanor charge of obstructing governmental operations stemming from an incident involving an ex-girlfriend. In 1994, he was put on probation for eight years after a cocaine conviction in his hometown of Memphis, where he was also charged with drunken driving and driving on a revoked license. In 2002, Huery, who scored 1,550 points for the Razorbacks, sold his ring from the 1990 Final Four to help pay off fines and interest on 1991 traffic charges.

LaKeith Humphrey, Kansas State (Lon Kruger)/Central Missouri State (Jim Wooldridge) - Sentenced to life in prison after being convicted of first-degree murder in the late November 2006 death of his former girlfriend, who was shot through her bedroom window about 3:40 a.m. in his hometown of Memphis. Humphrey, a J.C. recruit, averaged 12.6 ppg and 3.6 apg for the Wildcats' NCAA playoff team in 1988-89.

Jeremy Hunt, Memphis (Calipari) - Pleaded guilty to reckless aggravated assault and driving under the influence stemming from an early-morning crash in fall of 2011 when his Land Rover struck a truck stopped in a curb lane. The truck driver, checking on another motorist, lost both legs in the accident. Hunt, who averaged 9.5 ppg for the Tigers from 2002-03 through 2004-05, was previously in trouble with the law in January 2005 when he was charged with domestic assault (accused of striking his girlfriend at least six times in the face and kicked her on both sides). Later that year, Hunt broke his hand after getting into a fight. In the spring of 2012, he was accused of choking his girlfriend during an argument around 5:30 a.m. Sentenced to 43 days in jail after another DUI conviction following arrest in mid-November 2016.

Joe Jackson, Memphis (Pastner) - C-USA player of the year in 2012-13 was arrested in summer of 2017 on felony drug and gun charges. Police officers found 100 ecstasy pills, two guns and $4,500 in $100 bills inside a Louis Vuitton backpack found on the backseat of a 2017 Chevrolet Camaro.

Otis Jackson, Memphis State (Wayne Yates and Kirk) - All-Metro Conference first-team selection in 1981-82 when leading league in assists accepted pretrial diversion before declaring publicly he did not acknowledge government following indictment as county court clerk on four counts of official misconduct for pressuring his employees to raise or contribute more than $50,000 to his 2012 re-election campaign.

Chris Jones, Tennessee signee (Bruce Pearl)/Louisville (Rick Pitino) - J.C. player of the year in 2013 was leading the ACC in steals and Cardinals in assists late in the 2014-15 campaign when dismissed from their squad following multiple suspensions. He allegedly threatened to "smack" a female student. Within a few days of his dismissal, he was charged with raping one woman and sodomizing another between 2 and 4 a.m. despite having a 9 p.m. curfew. "I'm not worried about anything that anybody has to say about me," Jones told the Louisville Courier-Journal. In late June 2017, Jones was shot in his right thigh after a fight reportedly led to gunfire on a basketball court next to a Memphis police department precinct.

Jelan Kendrick, Memphis (Pastner)/Ole Miss (Kennedy)/UNLV (Dave Rice) - Kicked off Memphis' squad before playing a game for the Tigers as a result of chronic bad behavior, including a couple of altercations with teammates. Consistent off-the-court problem at Ole Miss, where he departed after banishment from game action three times, including the duration of the 2012 SEC Tournament and NIT. Anger management woes fostered transient history playing for multiple high school and AAU teams.

Elmer Martin Jr., Arkansas (Richardson) - Memphis product was backup forward for the Razorbacks' 1994 NCAA titlist and starter at the end of the next season received a 15-year prison term in late July 2008 after pleading guilty to drug charges. A county deputy prosecutor said that delivery of a controlled substance charges involved cocaine, and that intent to deliver charges involved cocaine and Ecstasy. During two weeks earlier in the year, detectives made two controlled cocaine purchases from Martin.

Cornelius "Scooter" McFadgon, Memphis (Calipari)/Tennessee (Buzz Peterson) - The Volunteers' leading scorer in 2003-04 (17.6 ppg) was charged with drug-related offenses in Texas in June 2014 after police said they found a kilogram of cocaine and 193 pounds of marijuana in SUV he was driving. Indicted in mid-August 2017 as part of a "Cocaine Cowboy" operation and described as "a high-level distributor." Sentenced to 20 years behind bars.

Eric McGill, Southeast Missouri State (Rick Ray)/Southern Illinois (Barry Hinson) - Part-time starting guard as SEMO freshman in 2015-16 was dismissed for a violation of department policies and procedures. He started 12 of SEMO's first 14 games prior to benching for violating team rules.

Kevin Millen, Georgetown (John Thompson Jr.) - Backup for Hoyas in mid-1990s was sentenced to two years' probation and ordered to return to his home in Memphis and stay away from Washington after being arrested twice in fall of 1998 stemming from accusations of stalking and making threatening phone calls to Thompson. Charged with unlawful entry after being detained by campus security for allegedly trying to reach the office of the university president. In the wake of several dozen alleged menacing phone calls to the school's athletic office earlier in the year, he was arrested the previous week and ordered to undergo a psychiatric evaluation. Court records indicated Millen was upset over job opportunities arranged by Thompson that didn't pan out. Millen had an unsuccessful primary run for Congress in Tennessee in 2010.

Taurean Moy, LeMoyne-Owen TN (William Anderson) - Memphis product, who set a national H.S. single-game record with 24 three-pointers in December 2000 a day before he was arrested and charged with assault and possession of marijuana, was kicked out of Eastern Oklahoma State midway through the 2002-03 junior college campaign. The next spring, he was charged with first-degree sexual assault of a child in Nebraska, pleaded guilty to a lesser charge and was sentenced to three years in prison. Charged with domestic assault in the spring of 2009 before pleading guilty to failure to have a Tennessee Sex Offender Registry identification card - or a sex offender designation on his license - with him when he was stopped on traffic charges in November 2011. All but nine of his 110 field goals were three-pointers in 2009-10 when he averaged 12.5 ppg for LeMoyne-Owen.

Austin Nichols, Memphis (Pastner)/Virginia (Tony Bennett) - Dismissed from UVa roster after first game in 2016-17 following suspension for "violation of team rules." Nichols, AAC Freshman of the Year in 2012-13 before transferring, said dismissal from Cavaliers stemmed from "self-medicating."

Kendrick Perkins, Memphis commitment (Calipari) - Charged with disorderly conduct, public intoxication and misdemeanor assault for allegedly punching a woman in the face outside of a Houston nightclub in summer of 2013. In mid-August 2011, Perkins was forced out of similar establishment in his hometown of Beaumont, Tex., and arrested about 4:00 a.m. after attempting to fight the venue's manager. Perkins chose to bypass college and went straight to NBA out of high school.

Brandon Powell, Florida (Billy Donovan)/Marshall (Donnie Jones) - Arrested in mid-June 2007 with Gators kick return specialist as part of a reverse sting drug operation. Disciplined internally as freshman in 2006-07 after videotape showed Memphis product punched a Vanderbilt fan when Commodore fans stormed the court following an upset of top-ranked UF. Dismissed from Thundering Herd squad early in 2008-09 campaign.

George "Tic" Price, Virginia Commonwealth (Chuck Noe)/Virginia Tech (Charlie Moir) - Forced to resign as Memphis State's coach as the 1999-00 season unfolded following allegations of a sexual affair with a student. Records show he called female student 1,100 times.

Lafester Rhodes, Iowa State (Johnny Orr) - All-Big Eight Conference second-team selection in 1987-88 was charged with second-degree burglary for allegedly ransacking a woman's apartment in the spring of 1988. Although nothing was stolen, police said the burglary charge was filed because a crime likely was committed after a forced entry. Slashing of water bed arouse out of a domestic dispute with Memphis product's apparent ex-girlfriend. Orr told Rhodes' CBA coach that Lafester "couldn't read past a sixth-grade level."

Jimario Rivers, Memphis (Pastner and Tubby Smith) - Juco transfer who averaged 6.6 ppg and 3.5 rpg in 2016-17 and 2017-18 was wanted by authorities in early 2019 for aggravated assault after reportedly attacking his girlfriend at a grocery store.

Derrick Rose, Memphis (Calipari) - All-American as freshman for 2008 Final Four team was cleared with a couple of friends of all charges stemming from a civil rape lawsuit in a Los Angeles court. Rose, a Chicago product, and his co-defendants maintained the sex was consensual.

Matt Simpkins, Memphis (Calipari) - California product dismissed from the Tigers' squad midway through 2008-09 season. History of discipline and academic issues, bouncing around to six different high schools and prep schools across the country.

D.J. Stephens, Memphis (Pastner) - The Tigers' leading rebounder as a senior in 2012-13 was arrested in fall of 2016 in connection with a domestic violence incident involving his child's mother.

Myron Strong, San Francisco (Jessie Evans) and Texas-El Paso (Tony Barbee) - Kicked off UTEP's squad in late summer 2010 for violating school and athletic department policies according to Miners first-year coach Tim Floyd.

Marcus Tarrance, Middle Tennessee State (Kermit Davis Jr.) - J.C. recruit from Memphis was arrested on a charge of domestic violence in fall of 2013.

Marlon Towns, Arkansas (Richardson)/Murray State (Tevester Anderson) - Memphis product suspended for four games following arrest in fall of 1999 on charges of domestic assault and marijuana possession. He averaged 6 ppg for the Hogs as freshman in 1995-96 before averaging 6.9 ppg and 3.6 rpg for the Racers in 1998-99 and 1999-00. Arrested with UA teammate Kareem Reid in spring of 1996 for possession of marijuana.

David Vaughn III, Memphis State (Finch) - NBA washout, a first-round pick as an undergraduate in 1995, wound up destitute in Orlando in the aftermath of a domestic violence arrest, two jail stays and failed drug tests. Before turning his life around, things became so bleak that the son of Finch's sister nearly died from infection after multiple spider bites on his foot. Vaughn's father, who entered the pros early in 1974 after playing for Oral Roberts, also had a checkered past.

Lagerald Vick, SMU commitment (Larry Brown)/Kansas (Bill Self) - Although never charged with a crime, a KU probe resulted in recommendation of two years probation after determining Memphis product likely committed domestic violence in late 2015. At the time, coach Self-less said Vick was sidelined two games due to "illness." There was no description for ailment when Vick took a leave of absence from KU's squad midway through the 2018-19 campaign to return to his hometown "to help out with family issues."

Clyde Wade III, Memphis (Calipari) - Arrested in spring of 2011 after police found him in possession of marijuana and a loaded handgun during a traffic stop. Arrested in spring of 2012 on domestic assault charges after the mother of their twins told police he flung her by her hair and struck her with several household objects. Indicted in summer of 2017 on charges including money laundering and possession with intent to distribute cocaine and heroin. Didn't play in 2003-04 while facing federal fraud and conspiracy charges (alleged identity and credit card theft scheme) of which he was eventually acquitted. He and his ex-girlfriend were behind bars on domestic assault charges in spring of 2022.

Shawne Williams, Memphis (Calipari) - Three times in Indiana, friends from Memphis ran afoul of the law while in Williams' company. All-Conference USA selection as a freshman in 2005-06 pleaded guilty to misdemeanor drug possession after being arrested in Memphis on felony drug charges for selling a codeine substance in mid-January 2010. Allowed to stay on diversion program despite testing positive for marijuana several times. Williams and former teammate Kareem Cooper were detained on separate charges in the summer of 2010 when detectives spotted Williams driving his Dodge Charger without a seat belt. Cooper, who transferred from Memphis to UTEP under coach Tony Barbee, was charged with possession of marijuana with the intent to manufacture/deliver/sell and felony possession of a firearm (handgun loaded with 20 rounds). Williams pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled substance following a mid-December 2012 arrest. Three years later, he was arrested and charged with DUI and multiple other infractions following hit-and-run in his 2014 Rolls Royce.

Tre'Von Willis, Memphis (Calipari)/UNLV (Kruger) - All-Mountain West Conference first-team selection pleaded no contest to domestic battery stemming from his arrest in summer of 2010 after allegedly choking a female acquaintance six years older than California product at an apartment complex about 3 a.m.

Qyntel Woods, Memphis commitment (Calipari) - J.C. recruit who went straight to the NBA after scoring 52 points in a community college game was promptly released by the Portland Trail Blazers midway through the 2004-05 campaign following pleading guilty to animal abuse after being under investigation for more serious charges related to dog fighting. In 2003, he was cited for marijuana possession and driving without insurance and a suspended license.

Dominic Woodson, Memphis (Pastner)/Tennessee (Donnie Tyndall) - Suspended or in the Tigers' doghouse much of freshman season in 2013-14 before lying to police regarding accusations stemming from a series of altercations with a UM football player. Also departed the Vols' program upon struggling to secure significant playing time.

Lorenzen Wright, Memphis (Finch) - His badly-decomposing body, indicating at least five shots from multiple shooters, was found in a secluded field near a golf course in southeast Memphis in late July 2010. A 911 operator took an emergency call from Wright's cell phone and believes he heard gunshots in the background. Wright's ex-wife, to whom he was in arrears on his $26,000-a-month alimony and child-support payments for his six children, claimed she overheard him on the telephone telling someone he was going to "flip something for $110,000." She told police he twice left her home about 2 a.m. carrying money and a box of drugs. Court documents show Wright, an All-American in 1995-96 as a sophomore, acknowledged to the FBI in 2008 that he sold a Mercedes sedan and Cadillac SUV to an individual known by authorities to be part of a drug kingpin gang. Despite earning an estimated $55 million over his 13-year NBA career, Wright's $1.3 million home in Atlanta was repossessed along with a $2.7 million home near Memphis he owned. In a book she wrote, his ex-wife claimed she was trapped in an abusive marriage. But Sherra Wright-Robinson was arrested in California in mid-December 2017 in connection to his death and charged with conspiracy, first-degree murder and criminal attempt first-degree murder along with deacon from her previous church. The case blossomed when an FBI dive team search a lake in Walnut, Miss., and found a gun authorities said was used in the murder. In 2014, she agreed to a confidential settlement in a dispute over how she spent $1 million in insurance earmarked to benefit their six children. She received a 30-year sentence in summer of 2019 after pleading guilty to facilitation of first-degree murder. Mastermind Sherra was denied parole this year and the man she "romantically" recruited to help her commit dirty deed - serving life in prison after his first-degree murder conviction in Wright's slaying - was sentenced this summer on additional lesser charges of conspiracy and attempted murder in the 12-year-old case.

Galen Young, Charlotte (Melvin Watkins and Bobby Lutz) - Young, a J.C. recruit who became UNCC's leading scorer and rebounder as C-USA first-team selection in 1998-99, was arrested for drunk driving in 2007 while on a suspended license. Upon Memphis product pleading guilty, he was fined $2,000 and suspended from driving for two years.

Delusional #Dimorats probably believe if there were more midnight basketball programs, many of these inhumane incidents never would have occurred. It's an educational travesty that shameless schools allowed majority of suspect characters to set foot on a college campus. Former North Carolina A&T coach Jerry Eaves, starting point guard for Louisville's 1980 NCAA titlist, said too many athletes are academically unqualified to play at the collegiate level. "We must quit messing around," Evans told the Louisville Courier-Journal. "We have to stop (ineligible athletes) from playing. I mean 100% halt, period. It has to end now. No more time. No more talking. No more messing around. It has to end."