Nor does the arrest violate terms of probation for unlawful use of an unauthorized vehicle, said Illinois State Assistant Athletic Director Kenny Mossman.

“That’s what we’ve been told by attorneys,” Mossman said. “Kevin (Stallings, ISU’s coach) has been in contact with Jamar’s representatives and that’s what we base that statement on right now.”

The Daily Vidette, the school newspaper, reported on Feb. 6 that Smiley was arrested at 10:58 p.m. Feb. 2 in Normal for driving with a suspended license.

He was pulled over in a green 1996 Mitsubishi after he turned off his lights at the sight of the police car, the paper reported. After Smiley was arrested, he was released on $150 bond.

Smiley, 21, a senior from Glen Cove, NY, was arrested last June in Normal for driving a 1994 Ford Explorer which was reported stolen. He pleaded guilty in Nassau County (NY) to a misdemeanor and was sentenced to 120 hours of community service and ordered to pay $8,814 restitution and placed on three years probation.

Smiley still faces felony charges in McLean County and has a court date of March 6.

“The notification letter that his license had been suspended was either sent to his old address or to an invalid address, so he wasn’t aware that his license was invalid,” Mossman said.

Smiley paid the Pennsylvania ticket after his arrest on Monday, Mossman said.

When questioned by reporters after the Bradley/Illinois State basketball game Feb. 4, Smiley denied being arrested Feb. 2. The Daily Vidette explained Smiley was caught off guard by the question, and his denial wasn’t intentional.

This article was condensed from the Peoria Journal-Star.