Behanan pleads not guilty to marijuana possession

Former Louisville star forward Chane Behanan entered a not guilty plea to a marijuana possession citation in Jefferson County District Court today.

Behanan, who was kicked off the team this season for what he later admitted was repeated drug use, was cited near 17th and Broadway after the 2008 Scion he was riding in was pulled over for a traffic violation in early April, according to the arrest citation.

An officer approached the car and could smell the "strong odor of marijuana" in the car, according to the citation. The officer also discovered a marijuana cigarette in Behanan's lap.

Behanan was one of the top offensive rebounders in college basketball and toyed with the idea of playing professional ball after he left U of L. He declared for the NBA draft Monday.

"I have thought and weighed my options for the upcoming year and I have decided that it is in my best interest to enter the NBA draft for 2014," Behanan said in a string of Twitter posts on Monday. "I want to thank my family, friends, U of L staff, CSU staff and everyone involved in this process and that has supported me along my journey.

"This has been a difficult road for me, but I have not lost faith and confidence in myself, I will continue to work hard and grow as a person."

Louisville attorney Scott J. Barton, who is listed in court documents as Behanan'slawyer, did not return a phone call to his office seeking comment. When reached on his cell phone, a man identifying himself as Barton hung up when asked about the case.

Behanan's pretrial conference has been set for 9 a.m. June 11, according to court documents.

Reporter Mark Boxley can be reached at (502) 582-4241 or on Twitter at @Boxleyland.