Grambling State University, a historically black university in Louisiana, is currently preparing for the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) basketball tournament and a potential NCAA run. However, the team’s recent success on the court has been overshadowed by a concerning incident involving some of its student-athletes.
One of the team’s key players, Carte’are Gordon, was recently arrested in connection with a campus dorm room invasion. But he was not alone. According to a report by the Lincoln Parrish Journal, three other students affiliated with Grambling State football were also arrested in connection with the same incident.
The accused, Sidney Franklin, Melvin Priestly, Derreion Hinton, along with Gordon, allegedly forced their way into a residence hall and threatened the inhabitants with a pistol. The dispute was reportedly the result of a suspicion of stolen money, according to police affidavits. Shockingly, two people in the residence hall were reportedly beaten and threatened with a semiautomatic hand weapon.
Franklin, who committed to Grambling in 2022, never played a game last season. Priestly and Hinton, both freshmen on the team, were expected to contribute to the football team’s success in the future, with Priestly playing as an offensive lineman and Hinton as a linebacker.
The incident has sent shockwaves through the Grambling State community, as well as the larger collegiate sports world. The university has released a statement to HBCU Sports, saying that they are currently investigating the matter and will provide no further comment at this moment.
It is not yet clear what the consequences for the accused athletes will be, but it is likely that they will face serious disciplinary action from the university and potential legal consequences as well. It is also possible that the incident could have an impact on the basketball team’s performance in the upcoming tournament, as the distraction and negative publicity could potentially take a toll on the players’ mental and emotional well-being.
Overall, this incident is a stark reminder of the potential consequences of athletes engaging in illegal and violent behavior. It also highlights the need for universities and athletic programs to prioritize the safety and well-being of all students, and to take swift and appropriate action in response to any violations of the law or university policies.
