Murray St.'s Avant charged with sending bomb threats

MURRAY, Ky. -- Murray State basketball player Jamar Avant was suspended from the team after being charged with sending two e-mailed bomb threats.

Avant, 20, of Murphysboro, Ill., was charged with terroristic threatening, a felony. He was jailed in Calloway County in lieu of a $2,500 cash bond.

The two bomb threats were received Monday on campus, a university statement said. Avant was arrested Tuesday.

"The university has a zero-tolerance policy regarding this type of action and we regard this as a serious offense, particularly after the events of Sept. 11," Athletic Director E.W. Dennison said in a statement. "In accordance with athletic department policy, Jamar has been suspended from all team activities until this matter is resolved in a court of law."

Avant, a 6-foot-8 sophomore, has yet to appear in a game for the Racers. He did not play last year because he failed to meet NCAA academic requirements.

Health problems have left his playing status in question this year. He recently was hospitalized for several days after a severe asthma attack.