Tucker suspended indefinitely from Iowa basketball team

IOWA CITY – Anthony Tucker has been suspended from the University of Iowa basketball team after being arrested Sunday morning for public intoxication.

Iowa Athletics Director Gary Barta confirmed the suspension before the Iowa women's basketball game Sunday afternoon.

“I learned this morning, I got the call that Anthony was arrested for public intoxication,” Barta said. “I communicated briefly with Coach (Todd Lickliter). He didn't know any more details, but he confirmed that (Tucker) was picked up.

Officers arrested Tucker, 20, at 2:05 a.m. at The Lodge apartment complex near Highway 6, according to police reports. He was taken to the Johnson County Jail and was released around 11 a.m. this morning after posting a $325 bond. He has pleaded not guilty.

The police activity log shows officers were called there after receiving a 911 call that “sounded like a problem with a cab and a fare,” but the call was disconnected and officers were unable to call back the number.

In the same report, it shows someone tried to assault the cabdriver, but doesn't say who.

“Until I learn more, there's nothing more I can say,” Barta said. “I am certainly disappointed, because it's not the first issue Anthony has had with alcohol.”

Here's a statement from Iowa Athletics Director Gary Barta:

“Anthony Tucker was arrested for public intoxication last night. I have communicated with Men's Basketball Coach Todd Lickliter. At this point, I do not have all the details of the incident. I can tell you, we are able to confirm that Anthony Tucker was arrested. Based on that confirmation, Anthony will be suspended for an indefinite period of time.

“First and foremost, I wanted to make sure Anthony is okay from a physical safety standpoint, and he is. Certainly, I am disappointed because this is not the first legal incident involving alcohol.

“I will have no further statement until we learn more about the incident.”

Tucker scored 17 points in the Hawkeyes' 71-67 victory over Drake Saturday night. The sophomore guard is averaging 11.9 points per game. Last year he averaged 10.4 points a game before becoming academically ineligible the second semester.

Last December, Tucker dropped in an alley behind The Union bar and was rushed to the hospital.