Former Razorback Qualls arrested on drug charges

Michael Qualls
Michael Qualls

Former Arkansas Razorbacks basketball player Michael Qualls has been arrested on possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a controlled substance and speeding charges, according to Arkansas State Police.

All the charges are misdemeanors. Qualls, 21, was released from the Washington County Jail early Wednesday afternoon on a $1,690 bond.

Qualls was stopped for speeding by Arkansas State Police about 8 a.m. Tuesday on Interstate 49 south of Wedington Drive, said Bill Sadler, state police spokesman.

Qualls was clocked driving his Chevrolet pickup 83 mph in a 65 mph zone, according to a preliminary arrest form. A state trooper noticed the smell of marijuana coming from from the truck, and after a search found a plastic bag with marijuana and a rolled marijuana cigar, the report stated.

A necklace Qualls was wearing also was described as a "smoking device" in the report.

Qualls played three seasons at Arkansas and started 34 of 36 games as a junior last year.

He was second on the team in points, rebounds and assists per game.

During his career with the Razorbacks, Qualls gained a reputation as a high-flying dunker and made SportsCenter's Top 10 plays 13 times. His put-back dunk with 0.4 seconds left in overtime beat Kentucky in 2014.

After his junior season, Qualls entered the NBA draft but wasn't selected after tearing his ACL during a workout with the Phoenix Suns two weeks before the draft.

The Oklahoma City Thunder signed him to a one-year contract in July. He was waived in October and assigned to the Thunder's D-League affiliate, the Oklahoma City Blues, where he was expected to rehab. However, the Blues waived him in November.

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