UNI recruit facing OWI, possession charges

Northern Iowa men's basketball recruit Aarias Austin is facing OWI and possession of a controlled substance charges after an arrest in Ames on May 1.

Austin, a member of the 2015 recruiting class for the Panthers, was stopped at 5:01 am on May 1 by Ames Police and charged with operating while intoxicated, as well as possession of what was thought to be marijuana.

UNI Coach Ben Jacobson declined comment on the arrest or charges and said he would wait until the matter is resolved.

Austin had played the last two seasons at Des Moines Area Community College. The 6-foot-4 guard from the Chicago suburb of Gurnee, Ill., averaged 13.8 points, 5.6 assists per gam, and shot 41 percent from the field in his final year at DMACC. He was also named to the NJCAA 2nd team All-American list for his final season.

He signed his national letter of intent with the Panthers last November after choosing between Northern Iowa and South Dakota State.

The precedent for OWI convictions has been a three-game suspension under Jacobson, but there has not been a possession of a controlled substance conviction in his tenure, so is remains to be seen what the punishment might be - if Austin remains on the team.

UNI has eight guards returning to the Panthers' backcourt in 2015-16, including Wes Washpun, Jeremy Morgan, Matt Bohannon and Paul Jesperson.

Check back for more information as it's available.

l Comments: (319) 368-8884; jeremiah.davis@thegazette.com