Corrections and clarifications: This story has been revised to reflect that
the incident did not happen on Oct. 1 but rather was reported on that date.
COBB COUNTY, Ga.— Cobb County police are investigating allegations that
Houston Rockets star Dwight Howard abused his 7-year-old child.
According to Sgt. Dana Pierce, the incident was reported on Oct. 1, 2014.
Cobb County police were asked to investigate the allegations by the Florida
agency Howard Phillips Center for Children and Families, Pierce said.
Police looked into the case, but initially did not find anything. However, in
the last 48 hours, more information has come forth that has led police to take
another look at the case, Pierce said.
No arrests have been made, and no other details about the allegations are
available. Cobb County Police are investigating because the alleged incident
happened there, Pierce said.
"We are aware of the allegations concerning Dwight Howard and are in the
process of independently gathering the facts," NBA executive vice president of
communications Mike Bass told USA TODAY Sports.
The Rockets declined to comment on the case.
Howard's attorney, David Oscar Markus, issued a statement:
"The Florida Department of Children and Families thoroughly examined all
of the evidence and determined that the claims of child abuse were not
substantiated. The case was closed in September.
"(The child's mother) Royce Reed is now shopping her baseless allegations
to authorities in Georgia after the Florida DCF case was closed. Even though the
allegations have already been found to have no merit, when a complaint about the
welfare of a child is made to law enforcement, an investigation is commenced. We
are confident the Georgia authorities will reach the same conclusion as the
Florida authorities. The truth is on our side.
"It is appalling to see a mother use her son as a pawn against his father
in attempt to extract money, which is what is happening in this case. While
Royce Reed continues on her aimless quest with the media, Dwight Howard will
continue to act in the best interest of his children and do whatever is
necessary to protect them."
Howard is an Atlanta native who has spent his NBA career playing for the
Orlando Magic, Los Angeles Lakers and Rockets.
11Alive and USA TODAY Sports' Jeff Zillgitt contributed to this report.
New arena? Check. Renovated arena? Check. Late coaching change? Check. Late
recruiting additions? Check. Player issues disrupting season preparations?
Check.
The new college basketball season has been more eventful than planned for
many Indiana programs. All this after 2013-14 seasons that weren't eventful
enough, particularly after conference tournaments.
No Indiana schools earned NCAA tournament berths.
There are plenty of changes for all 10 of Indiana's Division I squads. Here's
what's new: BALL STATE
Closer to home: The Cardinals may pick up some more fans from Indianapolis
with two newcomers from Tech High School. Jeremie Tyler was an IndyStar All-Star
guard for the Titans, who won the Class 4A state championship last season. Tyler
averaged more than 16 points and almost two steals per game. Getting playing
time won't be easy for Tyler, considering sophomore guard Zavier Turner (Pike)
was a team leader last season. Tech's Rashaun Richardson also joins the
Cardinals.
Another short trip: Sean Sellers, part of Greensburg's dominance of Class 3A
the past couple of seasons, joins the Ball State front court. Sellers averaged
20 points per game as a senior and topped 1,900 for his career.
BUTLER
Everything old is new again: Hinkle Fieldhouse, Indiana's grand old
basketball barn, just underwent a $36-million renovation that included many more
seats with backs, a modern video board and enhanced amenities and offices
throughout.
On the bench: Chris Holtmann isn't new to coaching, but he's new to the
Bulldogs. He left Gardner-Webb, where he was the head coach, to be an assistant
at Butler. When coach Brandon Miller took a leave of absence to address health
issues, Holtmann assumed the position on an interim basis.
On the court: Butler hopes the freshman class of Kelan Martin, Tyler Wideman
and Jackson Davis is ready to help it move up in the Big East standings. A
welcome return to the Bulldogs' lineup is Roosevelt Jones, the all-around star
who missed last season to a wrist Injury.
EVANSVILLE
JUCO juice: The Purple Aces have no freshmen on their roster, but they have
some new faces. Taylor Stafford, a 6-1 guard, averaged 25 points per game in
junior college play, while 6-7 forward Willie Wiley averaged 13.6 points and 8.3
rebounds for Vincennes University.
From abroad: Sergei Vucetic, a native of Serbia, previously played at
Nebraska.
INDIANA
Instant star power: James Blackmon Jr. comes to the Hoosiers after scoring
2,387 points in high school. His ability to score from anywhere -- particularly
from the outside -- will be more than welcome in Bloomington. He is joined by a
host of newcomers, including Robert Johnson, Max Hoetzel, Nick Zeisloft, Emmitt
Holt, Tim Priller and Jeremiah April.
Big trouble: IU starts the season missing four players -- Devin Davis,
Stanford Robinson, Troy Williams and Holt -- because of off-the-court issues.
Holt struck Davis with a car during the early-morning hours after Halloween.
(Davis' condition). Robinson and Williams failed drug tests.
Intense scrutiny: A failure to make last season's NCAA tournament and the
off-court issues this calendar year make the seat hot for coach Tom Crean.
Athletic director Fred Glass says he will stick by the coach.
IPFW
Expectations: The Mastodons,who won 25 games last season, are the Summit
League favorites this season. If they win the league tournament, they will make
the NCAA tournament for the first time. IPFW is led by two of conference's top
returnees, senior big man Steve Forbes (12.1 points, 5.3 rebounds last season)
and sophomore guard Mo Evans from Cathedral. It will get early tests from
Georgia Tech and Purdue.
Closer to home: Max Landis, a former Perry Meridian standout, transferred to
IPFW after playing two seasons at Gardner-Webb and is eligible.
IUPUI
New coach: You may recall the name Jason Gardner. He was the 1999 IndyStar
Mr. Basketball after leading North Central to a state championship. He is a head
coach for the first time and is eager to build a program that has struggled
recently.
Shiny digs: The Jaguars are moving from the "Jungle" -- their on-campus gym
that could handle crowds of about 1,000 -- to the renovated State Fairgrounds
Coliseum. They are a few miles from campus, but they can handle several thousand
fans and will play on a court featuring the Indianapolis skyline.
Fresh faces: Some new players may crack the Jaguars' lineup, including Guerin
Catholic's Aaron Brennan and IndyStar Indiana All-Star D.J. McCall.
INDIANA STATE
Leadership: It only seems like Jake Odum played eight season for the
Sycamores. The point guard has left Terre Haute, and it appears junior Khristian
Smith (Pike) and senior Justin Gant are poised to step in as leaders. Smith was
the Missouri Valley Conference's top reserve last season, but a lot more will be
expected of him this year. The departures of Odum, Manny Arop and Dawon Cummings
mean 34 points and 11 rebounds must be replaced per game.
Familiar names: Alex Etherington, whose brother Austin is at Butler after
transferring from Indiana, and Brenton Scott, whose brother Bryson plays for
Purdue, are eligible for ISU after redshirting as freshmen.
NOTRE DAME
Walking on: Matt Gregory, something of a designated 3-point shooter at
Cathedral High School, is a Fighting Irish walk-on. He considered similar roles
at some Ivy League schools and had a scholarship offer from the University of
Indianapolis. Gregory is from Avon, hometown of Irish junior Austin Burgett.
Key return: Jerian Grant isn't new to the Irish, but he returns after missing
most of last season to academic issues. He has averaged 12.8 points and 5.3
assists in his Irish career.
PURDUE Twin towers? The Boilermakers hope a freshman, Isaac Haas, and
junior A.J. Hammons can form an impenetrable wall of 7-footers near the basket.
There are some unknowns, however: Can Haas play at the Big Ten level? Will
Hammons provide consistent effort? Yes, those are big "ifs." Who handles the ball? A host of players -- Bryson Scott, Jon
Octeus, P.J. Thompson, Dakota Mathias -- want to be the playmaker now that the
Johnson brothers -- Terone (graduation) and Ronnie (transfer) -- have left West
Lafayette. A steady hand could help the Boilermakers be more offensively
efficient, which was an issue last season. Simmering seat? Consecutive losing seasons have some wondering
if a postseason berth is necessary for Matt Painter to remain as coach. Has a
program that not too long ago had Final Four hopes (with Robbie Hummel, E'Tuwan
Moore and JaJuan Johnson) lost its way? VALPARAISO League of nations: The Crusaders have been active in
international recruiting for quite some time, and this year is no different. The
twist is that they have brought in the starting backcourt from one of Canada's
top prep teams. Tevvon Walker and Max Joseph, both 6-1, are from Vanier in
Montreal. Also, 6-8 David Skara comes in from Croatia. Transfers: E. Victor Nickerson comes in from Charlotte after
averaging 5.8 points per game as a sophomore two seasons ago. Junior college
transfer Darian Walker averaged 13.4 points per
game.
