Arkansas St. G Banks out until January

Dec 12, 2007 - 12:40 AM JONESBORO, Arkansas (Ticker) -- Arkansas State guard Adrian Banks was suspended through the rest of December for a violation of team rules, the school announced Tuesday.

The Indians' leading scorer at 21.7 points per game, Banks initially was suspended indefinitely on December 2 after a reported arrest for firing a firearm within Jonesboro city limits.

The senior guard will miss another four games before the suspension is lifted on January 1. Banks, who started the first six games of the season, has already missed two contests.

"After discussion and review of the ASU judicial process with our university and athletic department administration, we have come to the conclusion that his suspension should be lifted January 1," Arkansas State coach Dickey Nutt said. "I hope the new year will find him resolving to use better judgment as he continues his education and basketball career. I have every confidence that he will prove to be the type of student and young man we all know he can be."

The Indians (3-5), who posted a 101-49 victory over Central Baptist on Saturday, returns to action against Florida Atlantic on Thursday.