MSU Players Face Charges

June 3, 1999 / 11:15 PM EDT / AP

Mateen Cleaves and Antonio Smith, key players in Michigan State's drive to the NCAA tournament Final Four, are facing misdemeanor larceny charges.

Arrest warrants were issued Wednesday accusing the two of larceny of property under $200. Smith also faces a malicious destruction of property charge.

The warrants stem from an April 14 theft at an East Lansing convenience store. Police stopped a vehicle the players were riding in shortly after the theft because it matched the description of a vehicle allegedly involved in the heist.

East Lansing Police Lt. Tom Johnstone said Thursday that Cleaves and Smith are expected to turn themselves in over the next few days.

"We're not going to actively arrest them," Johnstone said. "This is common on a misdemeanor case when they are represented by counsel."

Their attorney, Brian Jeffries, said Thursday that he wouldn't respond to the allegations because he had not yet received a copy of the police complaints.

"I will be representing Mateen and Antonio at the arraignment, and they will be entering pleas of not guilty," he said. "I'm not sure when that will be."

Jeffries works for an on-campus firm that represents Michigan State students. The firm is paid with a portion of the school's student activity fees.

Cleaves, 21, the point guard who led Michigan State to the NCAA Final Four for the first time in 20 years last season, announced last month that he would return for his senior season.

Smith, 23, the Spartans No. 3 career rebounder, completed his eligibility in March. Draft analysts project him as a possible second-round NBA pick.

Both players are from Flint and were captains during the 1998-99 season.

In a statement released Wednesday, Michigan State basketball coach Tom Izzo said he hadn't seen the complaint or the police reports.

"It is my understanding that the matter will be dealt with in the courts and after the judicial process runs its course, I'll take appropriate action," he said.

The crimes are punishable by up to 93 days in jail.

Another Michigan State player, Jason Klein, was in the car with Smith and Cleaves when police pulled it over April 14. No warrant has been issued for Klein. Smith was arrested that morning for two traffic warrants, including one for disobeying a traffic signal.

Also in the vehicle was a female who was ticketed for underage drinking.