Virginia Tech guard Ty Outlaw will play Friday in the Hokies’ NCAA Tournament East Regional semifinal against Duke despite his recent citation for possession of marijuana.
Marijuana was apparently found in Outlaw’s dormitory in Blacksburg, Virginia, while Outlaw and the team were in San Jose, California, for the first two rounds of the NCAA Tournament over the weekend. Police found it after obtaining a search warrant after a disturbance was reported.
Hokies coach Buzz Williams said he and Outlaw found out about the pending charge Monday night after returning to campus from California. The school hired an outside agency to administer a drug test to Outlaw Wednesday, and the test came back negative, Williams said.
Just now received statement from #Hokies. Ty Outlaw passed a drug test and will play tomorrow night against Duke in the Sweet 16… pic.twitter.com/rR2hwABCMl
— Mike Barber (@RTD_MikeBarber) March 28, 2019
“Ty’s handled everything perfect,” Williams said. “He’s been transparent not only with me but with all the authorities involved. And I think it will play itself out.”
The coach hinted that Outlaw likely would have been suspended “if he had mishandled anything.”
Outlaw practiced with the team Thursday. The graduate student said he was never concerned that he might be suspended for the remainder of the tournament.
“I’m sure everybody else outside the program might have thought that,” Outlaw said. “But that’s the reason why we followed protocols and the reason why I trust in my coaching staff and Buzz Williams.”
Still, possession of marijuana is a Class 1 misdemeanor in Virginia, and Outlaw is scheduled to appear in court April 11.
No. 4 Virginia Tech faces ACC foe and top-seeded Duke in the Sweet 16 Friday night at Capital One Arena in the District.
Outlaw has averaged 8.7 points and 5.4 rebounds per game this year with a .456 percentage from the 3-point arc. Against Liberty in the second round, he posted 10 points and 11 rebounds for the first double-double of his Hokies career.
• Adam Zielonka can be reached at azielonka@washingtontimes.com.
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