Wizards’ Webber Arrested on Drug, Assault Charges

After a routine traffic stop for speeding, Washington Wizard forward Chris Webber was arrested Tuesday in Landover, Md., and charged with assault, resisting arrest, possession of marijuana, driving under the influence of marijuana and five other traffic-related violations.

All the charges are misdemeanors, and Webber probably will be tried before a District Court judge sometime this spring.

Webber was released on his own recognizance.

Police said a marked squad car tailing Webber had to go faster than the posted speed limit of 40 mph to keep up with his vehicle.

“We look forward to having the matter tried,” said Webber’s attorney, Bruce Marcus.

Webber avoided reporters by sitting in the back seat of his car as it departed from a rear exit of the Prince George’s County District III police station.

Webber, 24, was driving a 1998 Lincoln Navigator when he was stopped about 9:30 a.m. on the way to a 10 a.m. practice at the MCI Center in downtown Washington.

According to the police report, Webber did not have a license or registration, and offered his credit card as proof of identification.

The report said Webber was “slow to answer” questions, and struck the hand of the policeman when the officer went to open the car door.

“The officer attempted to remove him,” Prince George’s police department spokesman Royce Holloway said.

“He resisted, an assault occurred. The [pepper] spray was deployed to effect the arrest.”

Wizard General Manager Wes Unseld said: “Until we have an opportunity to speak with Chris and the authorities involved in the incident, we will have no other comments.”

The NBA does not test its players for marijuana.

Webber is the latest Wizard player to have a brush with the law.

In November 1996, Juwan Howard was charged with drunken driving when his Mercedes was stopped for speeding on a Washington street. The charges were dropped after Howard agreed to enter an alcohol rehabilitation and education program.

Last September, Rod Strickland was charged in Washington with driving under the influence and disorderly conduct. His trial is set to begin soon.

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Former champions Dale Ellis and Glen Rice will lead the field for the AT&T; Shootout during All-Star Weekend, an eight-man field noticeably missing Steve Kerr.

Joining Ellis and Rice will be Dallas’ Hubert Davis, Utah’s Jeff Hornacek, Vancouver’s Sam Mack, Indiana’s Reggie Miller, Washington’s Tracy Murray and New York’s Charlie Ward.

Kerr is sidelined because of a broken left collarbone.

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The Atlanta Hawks activated guard Mookie Blaylock from the injured list.

He was placed on the injured list on Jan. 9 because of a strained groin.