Illinois State players Deontae Hawkins, DJ Clayton, and Milik Yarbrough arrested

Three arrests in two days have shaken the Illinois State basketball program.

Junior Deontae Hawkins was arrested Monday and charges were brought against fellow juniors DJ Clayton and Milik Yarbrough on Tuesday.

Hawkins, a returning starter and double-digit scorer was suspended Monday for, at the time, an unspecified violation of team rules. We have now learned the 23 year-old power forward was charged with several driving-related issues. According to The Pantagraph, Hawkins was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, illegal transportation of alcohol, and driving with a suspended license.

Hawkins is due in court on Nov. 17.

Clayton and Yarbrough were charged with misdemeanor theft of a cellular phone, which The Pantagraph reports happened in September. The 20 year-old Clayton is also charged with underage drinking.

Clayton and Yarbrough are in their first year in the program. Head coach Dan Muller has been expecting significant contributions from Clayton. Yarbrough is sitting out this season after transferring from Saint Louis University.

Those two players are due in court on Nov. 1.

When Missouri Valley coaches had to cast their ballots for the preseason poll, Muller voted his team as the favorite to win the regular season crown. At Tuesday’s media day, he told reporters that right now, he would not vote his team into that spot.

Perhaps now we know why.

Muller offered a quick quote to The Pantagraph, saying only:

"We are aware of the situation and are handling it internally.”

ISU opens its season at Murray State on Nov. 11.