FAYETTEVILLE (KFSM) – Arkansas sophomore Anton Beard has been reinstated to the men’s basketball program following resolutions surrounding a legal investigation involving counterfeit currency.
Beard was one of three players arrested in the summer and was suspended indefinitely in July after the arrest. Former Razorback Jacorey Williams and current player Dustin Thomas were also arrested.
The university said in a release on Monday that Beard will remain suspended through the fall semester but can return to competition on Dec. 18.
“After being notified that both the legal and campus processes had taken their respective courses, we moved forward with our student-athlete conduct process and informed Anton he will be withheld from competition for the remainder of the first semester,” Arkansas Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Jeff Long said. “These were serious allegations and we treated them as such. All of our student-athletes have a responsibility to conduct themselves in an appropriate manner at all times. That will continue to be our expectation.”
According to the release, Beard’s case has been referred to the Washington and Madison County Drug Treatment and Diversion Court. Beard will participate in a pre-adjudication program.
“We have taken this matter extremely seriously within our program,” Arkansas coach Mike Anderson said. “Now that this matter has been resolved, we look forward to having Anton rejoin our program for practices and team-related activities. This is an opportunity for him to have a second chance and hopefully he has learned a life lesson through this process. We have a responsibility to teach and educate our young men and hopefully he will live up to the expectations we have set before him. Our student-athletes will continue to be held to the highest standard on and off the court.
Beard averaged 5.7 points per game while appearing in 35 games last season as a freshman. Beard started 16 games and shot 38 percent from the field.
