ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -- New Mexico has removed forward Carlton Bragg Jr. from the team after his early Sunday arrest on suspicion of driving while intoxicated and possession of under one ounce of marijuana, hours after the Lobos beat Air Force.
The arrest comes nine days after Bragg, 24, was reinstated to the team following a three-game suspension while university officials investigated sexual misconduct allegations against him by another student. Bragg has not been charged in connection with that incident, which occurred in August, although the Bernalillo County district attorney's office sent the case to the district attorney's office in Alamogordo due to a conflict of interest.
Bragg was released from custody later Sunday. Hours later, in an email to the Albuquerque Journal, Lobos coach Paul Weir said Bragg was no longer on the team.
"Based on what I know at this time, I will be removing him from the team," Weir told the Journal. "My hope is that he can find increased time and attention to heed to his personal well being. My sole purpose going forward is to support Carlton in his health and growth as a young man. The game of life is much more important than basketball right now. I still believe in him and hope this next step will allow him to develop into a strong, responsible young adult while also completing his degree here at UNM. I am rooting that this next chapter is his best one yet."
According to a police report, Bragg passed through a sobriety checkpoint at 1:21 a.m. while driving a white BMW.
Officers saw Bragg "had bloodshot watery eyes and an odor of alcohol emanating from his facial area," the report said. "Carlton admitted drinking 2 glasses of wine between 9 p.m. and 10 p.m."
Bragg was put through field sobriety testing and "signs of impairment were present during his performance of the sobriety tests," after which he was arrested and a small amount of marijuana was discovered on his body, the report said.
Bragg later refused to take a breath-alcohol test, police said.
It was not known if he has an attorney who could comment on his behalf.
New Mexico is Bragg's third school. He played at Kansas, where he was suspended after being arrested and charged with battery against a woman in 2016, although that charge was dismissed and the woman who made the claims was later charged with battery after prosecutors reviewed surveillance video.
He also attended Arizona State but was removed from the team in his first semester for violating an unspecified team rule.
Bragg averaged 12.6 points and 10.3 rebounds in 15 games in his second season at New Mexico (15-3). He had 11 points and seven rebounds Saturday night in the Lobos' 84-78 victory over Air Force.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.