COLUMBIA — South Carolina women’s basketball player Ashlyn Watkins, who was arrested on Aug. 31, had her first court appearance rescheduled.
Watkins, 21, was arrested on charges of first-degree assault and battery and kidnapping, and was scheduled for a court appearance Friday at the Richland County Clerk of Court.
A court clerk told the Greenville News that Watkins’ attorney Todd Rutherford was in trial in Lexington County. A spokesperson from Rutherford’s office added they do not know the new court date for Watkins.
Whenever the first appearance takes place, Watkins does not have to be present.
A spokesperson for Rutherford told The Greenville News that “an initial appearance is for clients or defendants who have not retained an attorney, since she has hired attorney Rutherford, she does not have to appear.”
With the change of date, information regarding the next steps in the case are delayed.
“If necessary, a second appearance will be scheduled in approximately four months to monitor the progress of this case,” a public information officer from the Fifth Judicial Circuit Solicitor’s Office said via email Thursday. “We review the discovery and determine the best way to resolve the case through trial, plea, or another resolution.”
According to the arrest warrant obtained by The Greenville News in September, Watkins allegedly assaulted the victim by “forcefully grabbing her face, pulling her hair and pushing her.” Watkins also “grabbed the victim’s head, forcing her to walk down the hall, thus controlling her movement while preventing her from leaving.”
Watkins, a forward from Columbia, averaged 9.2 points and 7.4 rebounds per game as a sophomore last season, with a team-high 91 blocks.
FULL DETAILS: Police report details South Carolina basketball player Ashlyn Watkins’ arrest
Ashlyn Watkins and South Carolina women’s basketball
A South Carolina spokesperson confirmed that Watkins is still suspended from all team activities.
Coach Dawn Staley has not spoken publicly about the situation since Sept. 24.
Then, Staley said “Status is still the same, nothing’s moved yet and we’re not going to move until her situation settles down a little bit … It’s out of her control, out of our control.”
South Carolina hosts Clayton State in an exhibition game at Colonial Life Arena on Monday (7 p.m.) and begins the season on Nov. 4 against Michigan at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Lulu Kesin covers South Carolina athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email her at lkesin@gannett.com and follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, @Lulukesin
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: South Carolina basketball: Ashlyn Watkins court appearance delayed
