Taylor: We didn't know about DUI arrest

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) - Old Dominion University basketball coach Blaine Taylor says both he and the athletic director had no idea their star player Kent Bazemore was arrested last year.

Wednesday night, Bazemore was taken into custody by Virginia Beach Police moments before what would be ODU’s final basketball game of the season against Mercer. Bazemore is the team's guard-forward.

Bazemore was convicted on a DUI charge last summer, Virginia Beach spokeswoman Margie Hobbs said. 

According to court records, Bazemore did not fulfill the conditions of his sentence, which involved attending ASAP classes . A court appearance was scheduled in connection with the missed classes.

When he didn't show up to court, an arrest warrant was issued.

"I think that Kent in this circumstance tried to quietly and discreetly handle it," said Coach Taylor.

"Right prior to tipoff, we were made aware at all levels that there was some circumstance. We did not know what the circumstance was. I moved on at that time because there was no time to ask questions and coached the game," Taylor continued.

Taylor told WAVY.com had the athletic department been aware of the arrest, Bazemore would have been disciplined.

It's possible that's what Bazemore feared.

"It's very common that people don't bring things to light unless they have to," said Taylor. "I think he understands the magnitude of his mistake but probably didn't understand how to completely satisfy that."

ODU went on to lose to Mercer 79-73.

According to Senior Associate Athletic Director Debbie White, team members meet with academic counselors and life skills coaches prior to and during the school year.

White said it is understood and listed in the student athlete handbook that an arrest like this should have been communicated to the athletic department.