Holly V. Hays

holly.hays@indystar.com

Update, Aug. 25: Xavier guard Trevon Bluiett will avoid jail time on possession charges after entering into a pretrial diversion agreement with Hamilton County authorities, according to online court records.

The agreement was filed on May 12. In Hamilton County, pretrial diversion programs allow people with "little or no criminal background" who are facing various misdemeanor charges to have their case dismissed within a year on the condition that they meet the requirements of the agreement, according to the Hamilton County prosecutor's office.

Conditions for each case vary, but general conditions can include employment or educational requirements, waiving a right to trial and reporting changes in address and telephone number to law enforcement or other county authorities.

Earlier, April 11, 2017: Xavier guard Trevon Bluiett was arrested Monday afternoon on one misdemeanor count of possession of marijuana, hash oil or hashish, according to Hamilton County Jail records.

At 3:30 p.m. Monday, police pulled over a 2003 silver Chevrolet Impala that was heading south at approximately 75 mph in a 55 mph zone on U.S. 31 near 126th Street after it failed to signal a lane change, according to a statement from the Carmel Police Department.

During the stop, officers smelled a "strong odor" of marijuana coming from inside the vehicle. Bluiett was charged with a Class B misdemeanor count of being in possession of less than 30 grams of marijuana.

Bluiett was transported to Hamilton County Jail for processing, and bond was set at $1,000.

Two weeks ago, Bluiett declared for the NBA draft but said he wouldn’t hire an agent, leaving the door open to a return to college. NBADraft.net’s latest mock draft has Bluiett going late in the second round (No. 56 to Brooklyn). DraftExpress.com doesn’t have him being drafted.

More:

Bluiett to test NBA Draft waters again, won't hire agent

Trevon Bluiett writes Players' Tribune article about Koenig's shot, Xavier's run

At Xavier, Bluiett has become one of the Big East’s top players. He has averaged double digits in scoring each of his three years, including 18.5 points per game as a junior this past season.

Bluiett, a standout at Park Tudor, helped the Panthers win three state titles. His 2,568 career points at Park Tudor rank sixth all-time in state history.

"We are aware of the story and are looking into it," Xavier spokesman Tom Eiser said in a text message.

Undoubtedly, there are bigger issues at play here than basketball, but Bluiett will eventually need to make a determination on his basketball future.

One expert suggested Bluiett could wind up returning to Xavier when the dust settles on the charge against him.

"He probably needed to come back anyway (to Xavier), but this should solidify it," ESPN college basketball insider, Jeff Goodman, told The Enquirer. "This draft is loaded, and next year it's not nearly as good. NBA guys would overlook this (the arrest) with a lottery pick, but it could hurt someone like Trevon, who is a second rounder at best."

There's precedent to suggest Bluiett will be allowed to return to the program, and, perhaps, not miss any time.

Two players – J.P. Macura and Myles Davis – were both arrested last off-season, charged with misdemeanors are different varieties and eventually permitted to return to Mack's program.

Macura wasn't suspended for any games during the 2016-17 season after he pleaded guilty in late May to multiple misdemeanor charges and participated in a diversion program. Davis was suspended for about half of this past season following his arrest and subsequent legal issues.

Davis eventually left the program for good in January after participating in just three games.

Assistant sports editor Matthew Glenesk and Cincinnati.com reporter Patrick Brennan contributed to this report.

Call IndyStar reporter Holly Hays at (317) 444-6156. Follow her on Twitter: @hollyvhays.