UA guard Beard back, eyes Dec. 19 return

Arkansas guard Anton Beard watches a women's basketball game from the stands Friday, Nov. 13, 2015, at Bud Walton Arena in Fayetteville.
Arkansas guard Anton Beard watches a women's basketball game from the stands Friday, Nov. 13, 2015, at Bud Walton Arena in Fayetteville.

FAYETTEVILLE -- Sophomore guard Anton Beard practiced Monday with the Arkansas basketball team for the first time this season.

Beard has been suspended from all team activities since his arrest July 22 arrest on suspicion of passing counterfeit money at a Fayetteville business and in September was charged with three counts of first-degree felony forgery.

Reinstatement to the Razorbacks came after Beard agreed to enter a drug court diversion program.

Beard will not be allowed to play in any games during the fall semester, which ends Dec. 18, Arkansas announced.

The first game in which Beard can play is Dec. 19 against Mercer at Verizon Arena in his hometown of North Little Rock.

"Drug court is not solely for drug offenses," Washington County prosecuting attorney Matt Durrett said. "Mainly it's for first-time, nonviolent offenses."

Arkansas Coach Mike Anderson said he and Athletic Director Jeff Long agreed Beard should be suspended from games during the fall semester.

Beard is enrolled in school and attended classes during his suspension.

"Now that things have been resolved, hopefully we can move forward," Anderson said. "We're teachers, we're educators, and I don't take this matter lightly.

"That's one thing about my program, we're going to do it the right way on and off the floor. But at the end of the day it's a second chance, too. Let's see how this is going to shape this young man's life.

"I think he's a guy that's going to learn a life lesson."

The charges against Beard have not been dropped, Durrett said.

In order for the charges to be dismissed, Beard must complete the requirements outlined by the Washington and Madison County Drug Treatment and Diversion Court. That process, Durrett said, can take nine months to a year.

Failure to comply could result in Beard being expelled from the drug and diversion court program.

Anderson said Beard also has in-house requirements to stay on the team.

"To his credit, he's done all the things I've put before him up to this point," Anderson said. "There will be some more things placed on him."

Anderson said Beard's situation has been "weighing heavy on my heart" since his arrest.

"Obviously, there is a lot of judgment that's going on, saying this and saying that about the kid," Anderson said. "I know what kind kid he is.

"But at the end of the day, I think he's going to be a better person."

Arkansas junior forward Dustin Thomas, a transfer from Colorado who must redshirt this season, remains suspended from the team pending a legal resolution to his case. He also was arrested along with Beard and former Razorback Jacorey Williams -- who was later dismissed from the team and has transferred to Middle Tennessee -- and charged with one count for first-degree forgery.

"Dustin still has legal matters that are taking place with him," Anderson said. "But he's in school."

Anderson said he believes Beard is doing well considering what he's been through.

"You think of all that's taken place," Anderson said. "For him to get back around our team I'm sure is big."

Beard, who wasn't made available for an interview after his reinstatement, is the only returning starter from Arkansas' 27-9 team that played in the NCAA Tournament last season. He averaged 5.7 points and 1.9 rebounds in 18.9 minutes.

Forward Moses Kingsley said the Razorbacks congratulated Beard on his return to the team.

"Our mind-set was if we get him back that's very, very good for us, but if we don't, we're going to go ahead and continue," Kingsley said. "We're super glad we got him back and that's a big addition, but it wasn't that much of a distraction."

Anderson said Beard will be on Arkansas' bench when the Razorbacks play Akron Wednesday night in Walton Arena.

"We started off this season with a lot of question marks, and that was one of the question marks, what was going to take place?" Anderson said of Beard's uncertain status with the Razorbacks. "To our team's credit, they stayed dialed in and focused and moved forward.

"At the end of the day, as a coach you want these guys when they leave here to be productive citizens. The education process continues."

Matt Jones of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette staff contributed information for this report

Sports on 11/17/2015

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