Gordon says drug use was problem at Indiana

Dec 18, 2008 - 3:59 PM INDIANAPOLIS (Ticker) -- Former Indiana University guard Eric Gordon says drug use was a problem on the Hoosiers last season, according to a published report.

Gordon declined to identify the players who allegedly used drugs in the story, which was posted Wednesday night on the Indianapolis Star's web site. However, he did say D.J. White and two players still on the team were not among those who used drugs.

"It was the guys that were doing drugs that were separate," Gordon told the paper.

Gordon, who left the Hoosiers after his freshman season and now plays for the Los Angeles Clippers, said some players' drug use caused a rift on the team. Gordon also said he spent time with a family friend in Bloomington because of the atmosphere surrounding some players.

Gordon also went on to say that former coach Kelvin Sampson tried to stop the drug use, but "was just focused on basketball and winning and everything."

"Sometimes it felt like it wasn't even a real basketball team because of all the turmoil that went on," Gordon said. "I was just thinking about that the other day. It was so crazy that all that stuff threw off a good season and made it a waste, basically."

Former Indiana guard Adam Ahlfeld said players were aware some teammates had issues with drugs.

"I wasn't really with those abusing drugs, so I can't say what was really going on," Ahlfeld said. "I wasn't involved in any of those things."

Citing privacy laws, current Indiana coach Tom Crean declined to comment on the drug issues.

Indiana, which started last season 17-1, struggled after a story surfaced about a recruiting scandal involving Sampson. The Hoosiers made the NCAA Tournament but were ousted in the first round.

Sampson's contract was bought out by the school in February. The Hoosiers also landed on three years' probation for the recruiting scandal.