Chris Murray

cmurray@rgj.com

Wolf Pack power forward Elijah Foster was arrested Monday morning and charged with first-degree domestic battery and contempt of court.

Coach Eric Musselman suspended Foster indefinitely from all basketball-related activities. He was not at Monday's practice.

“We’re aware of Elijah Foster’s arrest this morning," Musselman said before practice began. "We’ve suspended him from all basketball-related activities until this matter is resolved. This matter is being taken very seriously by our university, the athletic department and our basketball program.”

Musselman declined further comment on Foster's situation.

​Reno Police Officer Tim Broadway told the RGJ the contempt of court charge issued to Foster dates back to an unpaid speeding ticket in Esmeralda County, which sits in the southern part of Nevada. The first-degree domestic battery charge is a misdemeanor. A police report was not immediately made available by RPD.

Foster, who has a 1-year-old son, was having a breakout campaign for the Wolf Pack during his junior season. He is averaging 12 points and 7.4 rebounds and is shooting a team-high 61.5 percent from the field and 83.3 percent from the free throw line. Foster also had been assessed three technical fouls in seven games.

The 20-year-old Foster, who earlier this season was called a "no-maintenance" player, will not be available when the Wolf Pack hosts Pacific on Tuesday.

The Wolf Pack was already playing a thin rotation, with only six players logging more than nine minutes per game.

“We’ve already had a short rotation, so obviously somebody has to step up," Musselman said. "We’re still trying to determine who will start. We feel like we have a couple different options, but from a starting standpoint somebody’s role will change dramatically.”

Two potential candidates to step into the starting role are true freshman Josh Hall as well as Leland King, who transferred to Nevada from Brown last season.

"I’d like to sit here and say, ‘We know so and so is going to step up,’" Musselman said. "Josh Hall is going to get an opportunity to step up as will Leland King. Those two guys in particular will see their minutes increase for sure and, based on productivity, it will be which guy steps up who will get the bulk of those minutes. Those two guys in particular will be the two guys who will have to play more.”

Foster had no previous arrests in Washoe County, according to a search by the RGJ.

The last Wolf Pack athlete who was arrested on a battery charge, football player Chris Solomon in January 2014, was dismissed from the team. Solomon, who had previous team-related issues, was charged with first-degree battery of his girlfriend and released from the team less than two weeks later.