Two Racer players face drug charges

MURRAY, Ky. -- The status of Murray State juniors Kelvin Brown and Adam Chiles remained uncertain Monday after they were arrested on drug charges.

The 12th-seeded Racers (28-5) play fifth-seeded Illinois (24-6) in the first round of the NCAA tournament Friday in Columbus, Ohio.

Sports information director Steve Parker said Monday he did not know whether Brown and Chiles were still on the team or whether they would play in the game. Coach Mick Cronin is refusing to comment, Parker said.

Brown, Murray State's second-leading rebounder, and Chiles, the starting point guard, were arrested Saturday.

Murray police Detective Eddie Rollins said the arrests came after officers responded to a 911 hangup call from the off-campus apartment where Brown and Chiles live.

The officers asked if they could enter the apartment, and Rollins said Chiles invited them inside.

Police found Brown hiding in a closet, Rollins said. Brown was already facing a warrant for allegedly leaving a service station without paying for gas earlier this month, Rollins said.

Police obtained a search warrant for the apartment and found marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

Brown, 21, was charged with theft by unlawful taking of less than $300 related to the alleged gas station case, possession of marijuana and a second offense of possession of drug paraphernalia.

Chiles, 21, was charged with hindering prosecution, possession of marijuana and a first offense of possession of drug paraphernalia.

Both are free on $500 surety bonds.

Chiles, a Louisville native, played at Kentucky during the 2001-02 season. Coach Tubby Smith suspended Chiles during the season for an undisclosed violation of team rules. Chiles and two other players were dismissed from the team after the season.

Chiles transferred to Vincennes University in Indiana before arriving at Murray State before the start of this season.

Chiles led the team with 131 assists.

Brown, a first-year transfer from Fort Scott Community College in Kansas, averaged 12.7 points and 4.1 rebounds this season.