Former UAF basketball player sentenced in burglary case
Published Wednesday, August 20, 2008
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Stumble It!FAIRBANKS — A former University of Alaska Fairbanks basketball player involved in burglaries of campus apartments two years ago received 100 hours of community work service as punishment Tuesday.
Christopher Adams, who has been in California recovering from a stroke, said he is enrolling this spring at Vanguard University, an evangelical institution in Southern California, where he hopes to again play college basketball.
The 25-year-old lost his scholarship to UAF and his place on the school’s Division II basketball team after being accused of eight felonies shortly before the start of the 2006 season.
The allegations stated that Adams and another player, leading scorer Christopher Jordan, entered student apartments and stole electronics, primarily laptop computers.
The players turned themselves in to authorities, and Adams spent about a month at the Fairbanks Correctional Center.
The men eventually pleaded no contest to one count of first-degree burglary.
Jordan received a punishment of eight months behind bars after pleading no contest to additional theft and drug charges.
Prosecutor Tom Jamgochian asked for Adams’ punishment to be five months in jail, the maximum term under his plea agreement.
Superior Court Judge Mark Wood said he saw no value in imposing more jail time on Adams, who played a secondary role in the crimes.
“It makes no sense to bring him back for more jail time,” Wood said.
Adams signed with the Nanooks in May 2006 and expectations of the 6-foot-7-inch forward from San Bernadino, Calif., were high.
Wood said the two players’ arrests “really undermined the UAF basketball program.”
By the end of the 2006-07 season, four players were dismissed for violating team rules, and two were declared academically ineligible. The coach resigned.
Adams, speaking via telephone from California, described his role in the burglaries as “next to nothing.” He was the lookout, he said.
“I’ll take full responsibility for whatever it is the court decides to do,” he said.
Both players’ convictions will be set aside under a term of their plea agreements, assuming they stay out of trouble.
“I think the judge did the right thing,” Adams’ public defender, Justin Racette, said.
Adams has no previous criminal record.
“He’s a young man with no criminal history and a significant education,” Racette said.
Adams was ordered to pay $425 in fines and fees. Wood gave him until mid-January to complete his community service. A court date was set for Jan. 23.
Community Discussion
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I'm a Nanook Men's Basketball alumnus, and I must say FINALLY this sad chapter in the history of Nanook Athletics has come to a close.
Goes to show you, with the help of a few bad apples,how quickly success can turn into tragedy.
While the coaching staff does share in some of the blame, ultimately, the student-athlete has to police themselves as well.
The student-athlete also must learn what "living in the fish bowl" is all about.
Hopefully, they don't learn this lesson AFTER something negative has happened involving them.
For any UAF student-athlete, the "fish bowl" is a small area (think Interior Alaska), and everything that's done there is seen by all.
Even when you think no one IS watching.
Apparently, some UAF student-athletes didn't get the memo on that very true fact.
Hopefully, utter shame, loss of scholarship's, possible prison time, etc. sends a message, but I'm afraid not.
One of the greatest point guard's to ever suit up for the Nanook Men is sitting in a federal prison awaiting sentencing for trafficking Methamphetamine.
He could spend the rest of his life in jail over that.
Just one of a few sad situation's taking place SINCE the abovementioned 2006 incident involving Christopher Adams.
Been some pretty tough going up at Nanook Athletics lately.
Many people have voiced varying opinions about that, as have I.
This time (shock!!!) I won't.
And despite the tough times, my "dance card" is set.
And it has Nanook Athletics written all over it, beginning this weekend.
Women's Volleyball starts up, as does Cross-Country Running.
In the coming month's , and after years as an Assistant Coach, Dallas Ferguson will unveil HIS Nanook Hockey Team.
On the Basketball court, Clemon Johnson says he's bringing a whole new look to the Men's Program.
Gonna be interesting to see.
And in the Women's Program, arguably one of the greatest players to ever suit up for the Lady Nooks (Sheena Brown) is back for her final year, and is being touted as a potential Player of the Year candidate in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference.
New head coach Darryl Smith brings an impressive resume, Brown, Cristina Bruketta and others back into the fold. And from what I've heard, three talented California JUCO transfer's along with a 6'3" Division One transfer.
Case in point,I'm still going to occupy my spot along the floor of the Patty Center for basketball, volleyball, etc., or down at the House of Carlson even though I STILL have no clue on the in's and out's of hockey.
Regardless, I'm urging on the Blue and Gold.
It's what I do.
Thanks, OldSchoolNook!
Boy that punishment will really teach him!!!!!!I'll bet he don't do that again for a couple weeks.
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