SPOKANE, WASH. (AP) - Washington State basketball star Klay Thompson, the leading scorer in the Pacific-10, was cited for suspicion of marijuana possession after the team’s Thursday night victory over Southern Cal. It was unclear whether Thompson will play Saturday against UCLA as WSU seeks to keep alive its hopes for an NCAA berth.
Coach Ken Bone said he will talk to Thompson and police in Pullman, where WSU is located, before making a decision.
Thompson scored 22 points in WSU’s victory over Southern Cal on Thursday night. He is averaging more than 21 points per game to lead the Pac-10 and ranks 11th in the nation.
Pullman Police Commander Chris Tennant said Friday that an officer pulled over Thompson’s vehicle about 11 p.m. PST Thursday for having a headlight out and then smelled marijuana. Thompson was alone in the vehicle, and denied that he had been smoking marijuana, Tennant said.
A search of the vehicle found 1.95 grams of suspected marijuana, an amount that could lead to a misdemeanor charge of possession, Tennant said.
Thompson was given a citation at the scene for possession and released. His vehicle was impounded, but returned to him early Friday morning, Tennant said.
“He was fairly cooperative,” Tennant said.
A court date has not been set.
Washington State (19-10, 9-8 Pac-10) remains in contention for an NCAA berth. UCLA (21-9, 12-5) is one game behind Arizona in the race for the league title.
Thompson, a junior, is the son of former NBA star Mychal Thompson, and has been said to be considering skipping his senior year to take a shot at playing in the NBA.
He is the second WSU player to be cited for marijuana possession this season. In December, point guard Reggie Moore was arrested for possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. He was suspended for one game on Jan. 15.
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