Nets’ Blatche questioned, released in alleged sexual assault in Philadelphia

January 8, 2013 By John Torenli, Sports Editor Brooklyn Daily Eagle

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Nets backup center Andray Blatche, along with two other men, was brought in for questioning by Philadelphia police on Tuesday morning in connection with an alleged sexual assault on a 21-year-old woman that took place at the Four Seasons Hotel in Center City. Blatche was released by police and will not be charged with any crime, according to multiple reports.

The Nets, who are in Philadelphia to play the 76ers on Tuesday night, released a statement in regard to the incident.

“We are aware of the ongoing police investigation regarding a member of the Brooklyn Nets,” the statement read. “We will have no further comment until the investigation has concluded. All of our players are available for tonight’s game.”

Blatche tweeted: “Im ok and I didn’t do anything jus was n the area when it happened,” at 9:21 a.m. Tuesday morning after being interviewed by police. Blatche later took down the tweet, but enough outlets saw the tweet to figure out that he was somehow implicated in the police investigation.

Police told the Eagle that they were not releasing the names of any of those questioned in the ongoing investigation, but an NBC-10 TV report stated that Blatche was not in the bedroom with the alleged victim at the time of the crime, though he was in the same suite. He is being described as a witness in the case, and not a suspect.

A police spokesperson told the AP that the alleged assault took place around 3:30 a.m. Tuesday. She added that no charges had been filed as of yet.

After six inconsistent years with the hapless Washington Wizards, Blatche is enjoying a comeback season of sorts in Brooklyn, averaging 11.1 points and 6.1 rebounds per game.

The Nets (19-15), winners of three straight and five of six games since P.J. Carlesimo took over coaching duties following the firing of Avery Johnson last month, will return to Brooklyn on Friday to take on the visiting Phoenix Suns.