2 IU basketball players cited for illegal possession

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (WISH) – Indiana University confirmed on Monday that two basketball players were cited on the preliminary charges for the illegal possession of alcohol on Friday morning.

Emmit D. Holt, 19, and Thomas J. Bryant, 18, were the two Indiana University basketball players cited for illegal possession of alcohol, stated Indiana University’s Senior Assistant Athletic Director for Men’s Basketball Communications and Special Projects, J.D. Campbell.

Excise officers cited the two after uniformed officers allegedly observed each of them in possession of a bottle of vodka while they were seated in a parked vehicle.

According to police, Holt allegedly attempted to conceal a bottle of vodka as an officer walked past the vehicle.  Holt, who was a backseat passenger in the vehicle, reportedly shouted to alert the front seat passenger of the officer’s presence.  The officer then allegedly observed the front seat passenger, Bryant, attempt to conceal another bottle of vodka.

The university released the following statement:

We are aware that men’s basketball players Emmitt Holt and Thomas Bryant were each cited Friday for underage possession of alcohol.  We take this matter very seriously and are continuing to gather information.

This is not Holt’s first brush with law enforcement. In November, Holt hit teammate Devin Davis with a car. Holt was not cited in that accident, which resulted in Davis’ hospitalization with a brain injury.

Three passengers in Holt’s car also witnessed the accident.

According to the police report, Holt said he had driven Davis to a parking lot at the football stadium.

Holt told police that when he started to drive away, Davis “jumped” in front of the car. Police cited “pedestrian’s action” as the primary cause and said both players had been drinking.