Why did James Bouknight get suspended for 3 games by UConn in 2019? All you need to know

Charlotte Hornets second-year shooting guard James Bouknight was reportedly arrested on Sunday in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. He was later charged with a DWI.

This will come as disappointing news for Hornets fans who were hoping for a breakout season from Bouknight.

However, this is not the first time that he has been involved in controversy.

Bouknight was suspended for three games during his college days at the University of Connecticut. Here’s everything you need to know regarding Bouknight’s college suspension.

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On September 27, 2019, just before the start of James Bouknight’s freshman season at UConn, there was an arrest warrant put out for the guard.

The arrest warrant affidavit stated that Bouknight smelled like alcohol after he crashed a car into a street sign near campus. Police reported that he then fled the scene of the crash. However, he later turned himself in to police custody.

Bouknight was charged with evading responsibility, interfering with a police officer, traveling too fast for conditions and operating a motor vehicle without a license. He then applied for a probation program.

As for his punishment from UConn, Bouknight received a three-game suspension based on the allegations of him fleeing the car crash.

He went on to miss the Huskies' first three games against Sacred Heart, Saint Joseph’s and Florida. He later returned to the team on Nov. 21 against Buffalo in the Charleston Classic in South Carolina.

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UConn Huskies coach Dan Hurley on James Bouknight’s 2019 suspension

UConn Huskies men’s basketball head coach Dan Hurley

UConn Huskies men’s basketball head coach Dan Hurley explained the decision to suspend James Bouknight in 2019. Hurley also deemed the three-game suspension to be appropriate.

“After deliberating on it and understanding all the information relative to the situation and dealing with James, just internally and externally with everything, it just feels like it’s appropriate,” Hurley said.

He then spoke about the disappointment Bouknight was feeling regarding the whole situation:

“These are the highly anticipated moments. Everything he’s dealt with, the shame of it, the embarrassment of it, and now not to be able to start the season with your team. It was a dream for him to come and play at UConn and it’s turned nightmarish in the last month.”

Finally, Hurley added that he believes the narrative surrounding Bouknight’s career will still be based on his on-court success rather than his off-the-court drama.

“I think the story, the narrative about his career, I believe will be about championships and rebuilding his reputation,” Hurley said.

James Bouknight played a total of 43 games for UConn over two seasons from 2019 to 2021. He averaged 15.0 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 0.9 steals per game on 45.6% shooting.

The guard was then selected 11th by the Charlotte Hornets in the 2021 NBA draft. Bouknight played in 31 games as a rookie, averaging 4.6 points and 1.7 rebounds in 9.8 minutes per game.

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