Boozer to leave Iowa State following arrest

AMES (AP) - In a new headache for Iowa State's new coach, reserve guard Charles Boozer said Monday that he will leave the team to seek treatment for unspecified problems after a woman told police he slapped and kicked her over the weekend.

Boozer, who would have been a senior for the Cyclones next season, made the announcement in a release sent out by the school. He did not return a message seeking comment.

Police commander Mike Brennan said Boozer was arrested and charged with simple assault, a misdemeanor, on Saturday in Ames. A complaint accused Boozer of slapping the woman in the face, pushing her to the ground and kicking her in the side.

Police say the woman had red marks on her face and a scratch on her leg. Police say Boozer admitted arguing with the woman and pushing her.

Boozer, a 6-foot-3 junior from Raleigh, N.C., who had season-ending surgery in January, posted a cash bond of $300 and was released on the day of the incident.

New coach and former Cyclones star Fred Hoiberg began his first full week on the job Monday. He will have just two starters back from a team that went 15-17 last year.

Boozer apologized for his actions and said he and Hoiberg had a long talk on Sunday night. They agreed that it would in Boozer's best interests to be released from Iowa State and take care of "some of the problems" he's been dealing with.

Boozer said he'll seek treatment after finishing the spring semester at Iowa State. Boozer, the younger brother of Utah Jazz star Carlos Boozer, averaged 3.5 points in 16 games last season.

"After visiting with Charles last night, I feel that his decision to leave the program is in the best interest for both parties," Hoiberg said in a statement. "Charles had a terrible lapse in judgment and I sincerely hope that he learns from his mistake and can land on his feet."

Iowa State spokesman Mike Green said Boozer, who will have one year of eligibility left, intends to finish his college career at another school.

Boozer's departure is just the latest in a series of transfers for the Cyclones, who hired Hoiberg last week after former coach Greg McDermott left to take the same position at Creighton.

Guards Chris Colvin and Dominique Buckley and post player Justin Hamilton have announced plans to transfer, and star Craig Brackins left school a year early to declare for the NBA draft. Forward Marquis Gilstrap, who averaged 14.9 points per game, had his appeal for an extra year of eligibility denied by the NCAA.

The Cyclones have signed four new players for next season; forwards Melvin Ejim, Jordan Railey and Eric McKnight and junior college guard DeMarcus Phillips.

Boozer to leave Iowa State to seek treatment

Charles Boozer, a senior-to-be from Raleigh, N.C., has decided to forgo his final season at Iowa State to seek treatment, Iowa State head coach Fred Hoiberg confirmed today.

“I want to apologize for my actions that put Iowa State University in a negative light,” Boozer said. “I have decided that the best course action right now is to finish my semester and then seek treatment. Coach Hoiberg and I had a long talk last night and he agrees it would be in my best interest to seek my release from Iowa State and take care of some of the problems I have been dealing with. I want to thank Iowa State and the Ames Community for all the great support the last the three seasons. No matter what, I will always be a Cyclone.”

“After visiting with Charles last night, I feel that his decision to leave the program is in the best interest for both parties,” Hoiberg, who was hired last week, said. “Charles had a terrible lapse in judgment and I sincerely hope that he learns from his mistake and can land on his feet.”

Boozer, a 6-foot-3 guard from Raleigh, N.C., played in 54 career games. He saw action in 16 games last year before an ACL injury against Texas ended his season. Boozer scored a career-best 19 points in 25 minutes of a 73-71 victory over North Dakota State. His knee injury against the Longhorns occurred in the next game.

- Iowa State University