Eric Lockett wasn’t at RBC Center with the NC State basketball team during its 73-58 win against Syracuse on Wednesday night.
Thursday morning, it has become clear why.
The graduate transfer was booked into the Wake County Detention Center on the charge of assault on a female.
According to the Raleigh Police Department, Lockett is accused of hitting a woman in the face during an incident that took place on Tuesday. WRAL.com is reporting that the alleged victim is Lockett’s girlfriend Saskia Guilbaud.
Lockett was released following a preliminary hearing Thursday and was ordered not to have any contact with Guilbaud, who has told numerous media outlets that she didn’t want charges to be pressed against Lockett.
His next court date is scheduled for March 27.
The 23-year-old native of Warner Robins, Ga., is in his first season with the Wolfpack after starting his career at Florida International. He is averaging 5.0 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.4 assists in just under 17 minutes per game.
State’s athletic communications department issued a statement before Wednesday’s game saying that Lockett would not be available because of a “personal matter.” Asked about the 6-foot-5 guard’s status afterward, Wolfpack coach Kevin Keatts said he could not comment “further than what we’ve released.”
Keatts issued a statement Thursday morning saying that “in light of his arrest this morning, Eric Lockett has been indefinitely suspended from our team.” The statement went on to say that State “will await additional information” and will have no further comment at this time.
Keatts also announced Wednesday that Kentucky transfer Sacha Killeya-Jones, who is sitting out this season under NCAA rules, is “currently not a member of our program.”
