BLAZERS PAIR CITED FOR MARIJUANA POSSESSION

PORTLAND, Ore. - Portland Trail Blazers teammates Damon Stoudamire and
Rasheed Wallace were cited for misdemeanor marijuana possession early
Friday after their car was stopped on the way home from a game in Seattle.

The players were passengers in the vehicle, which was stopped for speeding
just after midnight near Centralia, Wash., midway between Seattle and
Portland. The Trail Blazers defeated the SuperSonics 89-85 Thursday night.

Stoudamire, Wallace and the driver, identified as 43-year-old Edward Smith
of Portland, were cited and released.

Earlier this year, Stoudamire was charged with a felony after police found
a large bag of marijuana in his home while investigating a burglar alarm. A
judge has declared the search illegal, but prosecutors are appealing.

The team did not practice Friday, and neither player was available for
comment. Trail Blazers president and general manager Bob Whitsitt released
a statement expressing the team's disappointment.

"I understand that the fans are disappointed when they hear allegations
like this about players, as I am personally," Whitsitt said. "I want the
fans to know that our organization does not condone this type of behavior
from our players, and if found to be guilty, the organization will take
appropriate action."

Wallace's agent, Bill Strickland, did not return a phone message seeking
comment Friday. Stoudamire's agent, Aaron Goodwin, said he would not
comment until he had more details.

Wallace, Stoudamire and Smith were ordered to appear in Lewis County
District Court on Dec. 6, Lt. Marty Butler of the Washington State Patrol
said. Under Washington state law, misdemeanor possession is punishable with
a fine up to $1,000 and up to six months in jail.

Sgt. Rob Huss stopped the vehicle for going 84 mph in a 70 mph zone, Butler
said.

"The trooper got the strong smell of marijuana coming from the vehicle, so
he initiated an investigation," Washington State Patrol spokesman Garvin
March said.

The trooper requested assistance from local police, who sent a
drug-sniffing dog to help search the vehicle, March said. Less than 40
grams of marijuana was found, making it a misdemeanor instead of a felony
under Washington state law, he said.

After the tickets were issued, the three men continued on their way.

Wallace scored 13 points in Thursday night's victory, the Blazers' third in
a row. Stoudamire, who has been struggling to regain his starting point
guard spot from Scottie Pippen, was benched for the second time in three games.

Stoudamire, who grew up in Portland, did not comment to reporters after he
drove away from his home in suburban West Linn on Friday morning.