Ex-NBA player Blount gets year in pot case

HAMILTON, Ohio, May 13 (UPI) -- An Ohio judge sentenced Corie Blount to a year in prison Tuesday, rejecting the ex-NBA player's claim the 29 pounds of marijuana he had were for personal use.

Butler County Common Pleas Court Judge Craig Hedric spared Blount from the 10-year maximum sentence, but also levied a $10,000 fine and ordered 250 hours of community service.

Blount, was arrested in December after authorities intercepted 11 pounds of marijuana being delivered to his Cincinnati-area home. Further investigation turned up another 18 pounds of pot stashed at his residence.

The Cincinnati Enquirer said Blount's attorney proposed the low-grade weed had been sent by a "so-called friend" for Blount to use to self-medicate against depression and share with friends.

Hedric wasn't buying the scenario. "Cheech and Chong would have had a hard time smoking that much," he told Blount.

Blount, 40, played 11 years in the NBA after starring at the University of Cincinnati and was a first round draft pick for the Chicago Bulls in 1993.