A University of Montana men's basketball player has been arrested for felony strangulation and assault.
Naseem Ikena Gaskin, 20, was arrested Wednesday night just before 11 p.m. in the 300 block of East Front Street in Missoula.
Missoula Police Department spokesperson Travis Welsh said they responded when a woman called in the assault.
The woman was located at a local motel. Police took her statement and located Gaskin at the Front Street address and arrested him.
As of Thursday afternoon, Gaskin is in the Missoula County Detention Center. He's being held on felony strangulation of partner and misdemeanor partner/family member assault charges.
Gaskin is expected to face those charges in Missoula County Justice Court on Friday.
Gaskin transferred to UM after one season at Utah under former Griz player and coach Larry Krystkowiak. Gaskin, an Oakland, California, native, sat out the 2019-20 season due to transfer rules and would be eligible in 2020-21, where he was expected to be a big contributor for the Grizzlies at the guard position.
Officials at UM also released a statement to MTN News regarding the situation.
"The University and athletic department are aware of the incident involving student-athlete Naseem Gaskin," the statement read. "We understand the seriousness of the allegations and absolutely do not condone such behavior. Per the student-athlete code of conduct he has been immediately suspended from all athletic-related activities. This University has also issued an interim suspension effective immediately."
MTN Sports Jack Ginsburg contributed to this report.
