Georgia's Donte Williams charged with pot

• Tweet

ATHENS, Ga., May 30 (UPI) -- University of Georgia starting forward Donte Williams could face a suspension next season after being charged with marijuana possession, the school says.

Williams and a friend were arrested Friday at Lenox Square Mall in Atlanta after a police officer noticed a strong smell of marijuana from their car, The Atlanta Journal Constitution reported. Police said both admitted they had been smoking marijuana earlier but denied a small quantity of the drug found in the vehicle belonged to them.

Both were released after they were processed.

If the charges hold, Georgia Athletic Association rules would mandate a three game suspension next season, the newspaper said. Under university rules, Williams could also be put on probation for 12 months, have to go through a drug awareness program and be subjected to drug testing, university officials said.

Williams, a 6-foot, 2-inch rising junior, has played in 62 of 65 games with the Bulldogs during his two years at the university. He started all 32 games last year and averaged 8.1 points and 5.1 rebounds per game.