Baylor senior big man Rico Gathers turned himself in and was arrested by local Waco Police on Tuesday after he was suspected of shoplifting from a Walmart earlier this month.
The news was first reported by the Waco Tribune.
The incident happened about midnight June 1. A store employee told police that a man he recognized as Gathers placed two pillows, a tote bag, a water dispenser and a trash can in a shopping cart and left the store without stopping to pay for the items, according to an arrest affidavit.
Gathers' June 1 shoplift was caught on video. The stolen items amounted to $171. Employees at the store told Waco Police they believed this was not the first time Gathers had walked out with items without paying.
After spending a night in McLennan County Jail, Gathers was released on $1,000 bond on Wednesday.
He has not been punished by Baylor to this point.
"We are aware of the situation involving Rico Gathers and are in the process of gathering the facts to determine what transpired," Baylor coach Scott Drew said in a statement. "It would be inappropriate for me to comment further at this time."
Gathers was among the best rebounders in the sport last year, averaging 11.6 boards and 11.6 points. He could have future opportunities in both professional basketball and football.
Gathers spoke to CBSSports.com this past season in a story about college basketball players who double as fathers. The 21-year-old is married and has a 1-year-old son, Rico Gathers, Jr. He estimated his family of three gets by on approximately $15,000 per year.
