INDIANAPOLIS, IN – MARCH 11: Derrick Nix #25 of the Michigan State Spartans goes up for a shot attempt against William Buford #44 of the Ohio State Buckeyes during the Final Game of the 2012 Big Ten Men’s Conference Basketball Tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on March 11, 2012 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
LANSING (97.1 The Ticket) MSU basketball player Derrick Nix was arrested Monday night on two charges, including suspicion of operating a vehicle with the presence of drugs and marijuana possession, according to East Lansing District Court.
MSU Coach Tom Izzo responded swiftly, suspending Nix and releasing a statement saying the arrest puts Nix’s time with the team in jeopardy.
“Based on the information we have received, Derrick Nix has been suspended indefinitely from our basketball team, and his future with our program is uncertain,” Izzo said in the statement. “He made an irresponsible decision that has put his future with our program in serious jeopardy.”
Court staff said Nix had still not posted bond at lunchtime Tuesday, which means he was still in jail. An arraignment time and date have not yet been set.
According to the MSU Spartans website, Nix appeared in 30 games, starting in one in 2010-11. He scored seven points at Ohio State on Feb 15, hitting all three field-goal attempts, and grabbed a season-high six rebounds at Illinois the month before.
Nix, 6 foot 9 inches tall and weighing in at 270 pounds, graduated from Pershing High School in Detroit. He emerged as a Spartans leader before the disappointing end of this season and was considered a favorite to become a team captain.
