Webber faces assault, marijuana charges

Washington Wizards forward Chris Webber, having an All-Star year, was
arrested Tuesday morning when a routine traffic stop turned into a
nightmare for one of the NBA's brightest young stars.

Webber, 24, the team's leading scorer (22 points) and rebounder (9.1), was
charged with assault, resisting arrest, possession of marijuana, driving
uner the influence of marijuana and five other traffic-related violations.
All are misdemeanors, and Webber was released on his own recognizance.

"We look forward to having the matter tried," said Webber's lawyer, Bruce
Marcus. The Wizards said they would have no comment until further
investigation. The team's next game is tonight against Portland.

Marijuana is not covered by the NBA's substance abuse policy. No action can
be taken unless Webber is convicted or pleads guilty.

Webber was headed to practice when he was stopped for speeding at 9:30 a.m.
in Landover, Md.

Allegedly driving without a license or registration, Webber allegedly
struck an officer's hand when the policeman tried to open the car door. The
marijuana was found when Webber's car was im- pounded and searched.

Juwan Howard and Rod Strickland, the team's two other stars, also have had
recent brushes with the law. Howard, in 1996, was charged with drunken
driving. He had the charges dropped when he entered a rehab program.
Strickland is set to go to trial next month on a '97 drunken driving and
disorderly conduct charge.