Carlton Bragg Reinstated to Kansas After Battery Charge Is Dropped
December 15, 2016
Kansas Jayhawks head coach Bill Self announced Carlton Bragg Jr. was reinstated to the basketball program Wednesday after a battery charge against the forward was dropped, per Bret Strelow of the Winston-Salem Journal.
Self also said he was proud of the way his player handled the situation, per Strelow.
Bragg called it "a difficult and humiliating experience," adding, "I'm glad I can put this behind me and move forward."
Strelow shared the full statements from the coach and player:
According to Jesse Newell of the Kansas City Star, the Douglas County district attorney's office dismissed a misdemeanor battery charge against Bragg and filed a battery charge against Saleeha Soofi. Soofi is the woman who alleged Bragg punched her and pushed her down stairs.
Newell noted the district attorney's decision came after surveillance video was obtained. Bragg's attorney said the Kansas forward acted in self-defense during the incident.
The motion filed by Bragg's attorney alleged Soofi accused Bragg of sleeping with her friend and proceeded to strike him multiple times before he blocked her, per Newell. According to the district attorney's release, "The video showed the female shoved and slapped the male in the chest and placed her hands near the male's neck."
The release from the prosecutor's office alleged Bragg shoved Soofi away and caused her to fall on the stairs after she struck him, per Newell.
Bragg has not played for the Jayhawks since a 105-62 victory over Missouri-Kansas City on Dec. 6. He is averaging 7.8 points and 5.3 rebounds per game behind 53.7 percent shooting from the field in nine appearances.
The 6'10" sophomore gives Kansas another piece in its frontcourt before Big 12 play starts Dec. 30.
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