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Friday, October 27, 2006

Former Tiger Antonio Burks Doesn't Pay Traffic Ticket, Lands In Jail, Memphis Media Has a Field Day

Ok, yes it is news, but is it really that big a news? I wasn't even going to put it in this blog, until I read the third article about it. I don't want to be accused of not reporting both sides and I've put the negative things in here before. So, if you care that Antonio Burks didn't pay his traffic ticket and missed his court date and landed in a Germantoen jail then read the rest.

The Daily Helmsman, The University of Memphis

Former Tiger arrested

Antonio Burks, former basketball player, was arrested in Germantown for not appearing in court for a speeding ticket he received.Antonio Burks, a former member of The University of Memphis basketball team, was arrested yesterday afternoon and detained by the Germantown Police Department for failing to appear in court. "Our officers were dispatched to meet another agency at Poplar and Ridgeway to take [Burks] into custody," said Police Captain Lee Covey of the Germantown Police Department.Burks, a former walk-on at The University, was released shortly afterwards on $350 bond.Burks was initially issued a speeding ticket on July 24 for going 59 in a 30 m.p.h. zone. Burks failed to pay the ticket and missed his Sept. 13 court date.

Germantown police issued a warning letter requesting Burks to appear in court Oct. 11 to pay the fine for his ticket. He did not appear for this second court date and a warrant was issued for his arrest on October 16.He is due back in court on Dec. 20.The former 2004 Conference USA Player of the Year averaged 16.0 points and 5.5. assists his senior season, helping lead the Tigers to the second round of the NCAA tournament. He played his first year of collegiate basketball at Hiwassee Junior College in Madisonville, Tenn.Burks, 26, was the 38th overall pick by the Memphis Grizzlies in the 2004 NBA Draft. He played 57 games over two seasons with the Grizzlies, averaging 2.0 points and 1.3 assists. The Grizzlies did not re-sign the former Memphis Tiger's standout this off-season. Burks signed a non-guaranteed contract with the defending NBA champion Miami Heat on Oct. 2 after he was let go by the Grizzlies. He played in four games for the Heat during the preseason, averaging 3.3 points and 3.0 assists. His chance to play for the Heat ended Tuesday when the team announced they were cutting the point guard.

Students on campus are hoping Burks is not surprised he was arrested."Just because he's a basketball player doesn't mean he should get away with it," said Terrell Randle, a criminal justice major at Remington college and a visitor to The U of M.This point seemed to be the general consensus among students."He should have just paid the ticket," said Ramona Golphin, junior social work major. "He's got enough money to pay for his ticket and all of our tickets, too."Burks base salary last year with the Grizzlies was $641,748.Others thought he could have simply paid the ticket in the first place instead of going to jail."He should have known he was going to get in trouble for that," said sophomore biology pre-med major Kesia Merriweather. "Everyone knows if you don't go to court you are going to get arrested."

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