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A college basketball player accused of sexual assault at two colleges has found a third team to play for, enrolling on scholarship at Northwest Florida State College.
Brandon Austin was one of three University of Oregon basketball players who were suspended for up to 10 years last month after allegedly sexually assaulting a female classmate. He had been previously suspended from the Providence College basketball team for an alleged sexual assault there. Austin denies the charges and local law enforcement said it didn't have enough to charge him or any of the other men in either assault.
Earlier this month, Austin had attempted to transfer to Hutchinson Community College in Kansas, but he was denied admission. The way colleges handle sexual assaults involving athletes recently came under sharp scrutiny when a report released by U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill stated that more than 20 percent of institutions allow their athletics departments to oversee sexual assault cases.
"The college has decided to give this young man an opportunity to continue his education," Steve DeMeo, Northwest Florida State's head basketball coach, said in a statement. "We have the experience, support and resources to help Brandon get back on track towards graduating and help him be a successful student athlete on and off the court."
