CBKB: UConn player arrested on drug charge

HARTFORD, Conn. - Jamal Coombs-McDaniel, a swingman on Connecticut's national championship basketball team, has been arrested on a marijuana possession charge.

Campus police say the sophomore from Dorchester, Mass. was arrested Thursday night along with two people at Merritt Hall, a campus dormitory.

"During the course of the investigation, officers found Jamal Coombs-McDaniel and two other individuals in possession of 5.6 grams of marijuana, a marijuana grinder and a package of cigars used to smoke marijuana," according to the police report.

Coombs-McDaniel was charged with possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was released on a $500 non-surety bond and is scheduled to appear in Rockville Superior Court on May 5.

He was one of 11 people arrested during the first night of Spring Weekend, an annual weekend of campus parties before final exams.

Coombs-McDaniel played in all 41 of UConn's games during its national championship season, and started twice. He averaged 5.6 points and 2.7 rebounds.

He is a favorite with the UConn student section, which breaks into a chorus of "Cooombs" when he scores.

"We are aware of the arrest of Jamal Coombs-McDaniel, but beyond that have no further comment at this time," said Kyle Muncy, a spokesman for the basketball program.

It was not immediately clear if Coombs-McDaniel had an attorney, and he did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.

Coombs-McDaniel was among eight people arrested by UConn police Thursday night and early Friday morning. State troopers arrested three others. The charges ranged from marijuana and alcohol offenses to weapons violations.

For Spring Weekend, police have put in place extra patrols, limits on non-student visitors and roadblocks at many campus entries. Dozens of traffic tickets, warnings and infractions have been issued.

Officials said they hope to prevent a repeat of last year's problems. Some 84 people were arrested and student Jafar Karzoun died at an off-campus restaurant. He was punched, fell to the ground and hit his head.

He died a week later. Edi Rapo of East Hartford awaits trial on a manslaughter charge.