CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) 鈥� Charlotte Hornets guard James Bouknight has been arrested for driving while impaired just days before the team was set to open the regular season.
by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, according to a police report. Bond was set at $2,500.
The 22-year-old Bouknight, the team's first-round draft pick in 2021, practiced on Monday but did not speak to reporters.
鈥淲e are just gathering information right now,鈥� Hornets coach Steve Clifford said after practice. 鈥淯ntil we know more definitely on what happened I can鈥檛 comment on that.鈥�
The news of Bouknight鈥檚 arrest emerged on the same day restricted free agent Miles Bridges, who led the Hornets in scoring last year, had a court date in Los Angeles surrounding his arrest on three felony domestic violence charges. Bridges has pleaded not guilty.
Bouknight played in 31 games as a rookie, averaging 9.8 minutes and 4.6 points.
He feuded on the sideline with former coach James Borrego during a game last season, but was hoping for a new start under Clifford, who was hired this offseason for his second stint as the Hornets' coach.
Clifford said last week that Bouknight has starter-level talent in the NBA.
The Hornets open the season at San Antonio on Wednesday night.
鈥淭hat's this league. You know what I mean?" Clifford said when asked about Bouknight's arrest being a distraction. "I was told a long time ago that if you want to enjoy coaching, understand that a lot more things go wrong every day that go right. It's just the kind of job that it is. It's part of coaching at every level.鈥�
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Steve Reed, The Associated Press
