Feb. 20--Sophomore forward Leron Black was suspended indefinitely from the Illinois basketball team after his arrest early Friday for allegedly pulling a knife on a bouncer at an Urbana nightclub.
Black, 20, was arraigned Friday afternoon on a Class 4 felony charge of aggravated assault and pleaded not guilty, according to the News-Gazette. His bond was set at $5,000.
A conviction could lead to probation or up to three years in prison.
A university police spokesman said Black was arrested after allegedly threatening a security worker at the Canopy Club.
"An officer stopped Black as he was walking away from the club and found a small folding knife on the sidewalk a few feet away in the direction Black had been walking," police spokesman Patrick Wade said in an email. "Witnesses said Black had threatened security personnel with the knife as staff removed him and others from the club following a fight."
The News-Gazette quoted a police officer who said Black told the bouncer, "I don't have a strap but I'm not afraid to cut somebody."
Illinois coach John Groce issued a statement that he has suspended Black indefinitely from all team activities while "we await the legal process."
Black, from Memphis, Tenn., has missed 19 games this season because of a knee injury. In the seven games he played, he averaged 4.4 points and 4.4 rebounds.
