LEXINGTON, Ky. -- New York Knicks center Randolph Morris was
arrested early Tuesday and charged with reckless driving.
Morris, who was released from jail on $100 bond, didn't appear
in court Tuesday for his arraignment. Attorney Chad Butcher entered
a not guilty plea on his behalf. The judge set a preliminary
hearing for Aug. 31.
According to the arrest report, Morris smelled of alcohol and
had bloodshot eyes. He acknowledged he had been drinking 30 minutes
earlier and was given a preliminary breath test at the scene, with
his blood alcohol level showing .069, below Kentucky's legal limit
of .08.
Lexington police Lt. Dwayne Holman said it wasn't clear whether
the officer conducted any other field sobriety tests, but none were
listed on the report.
Police say Morris took a wide turn onto New Circle Road, just a
few miles from the University of Kentucky campus where he played
his college basketball. The officer reported Morris accelerated to
62 mph -- 17 mph over the speed limit -- and didn't use a turn signal
as he sped down the exit ramp.
Knicks spokesman Jonathan Supranowitz said he talked with
Morris, who wasn't injured.
Lexington police didn't immediately return a call for comment
Tuesday.
Morris signed with the Knicks in March after playing for
Kentucky in the NCAA tournament. He played in five games for New
York.
The 6-foot-11 Morris was a unique underclassman free agent after
he declared for the 2005 NBA draft but was not chosen. The NCAA
ordered him to sit out half of his sophomore season before
returning to Kentucky, but he became a dominant inside force for
the Wildcats as a junior.
He decided to sign with the Knicks shortly after Tubby Smith
announced he was leaving the Wildcats to coach Minnesota.