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The Honolulu Advertiser

Updated at 12:24 p.m., Tuesday, August 7, 2007

NBA: Knicks' Morris charged with reckless driving

By Jeffrey McMurray
Associated Press

LEXINGTON, Ky. — New York Knicks center Randolph Morris was arrested early today and charged with reckless driving.

Morris, who was released from jail on $100 bond, didn't appear in court today 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.

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 Lt. Dwayne Holman said it wasn't clear whether the officer conducted any other field sobriety tests, but none were listed on the report.

Lexington police didn't immediately return a call for comment today.

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.