Villanova guard Reggie Redding is missing quite a bit as he serves a university-imposed suspension after being charged in July with possessing of a small amount of marijuana.
The senior cannot play in the Wildcats' first 10 games of the season or sit on the bench. He can't travel with the team. He cannot participate in team functions such as last weekend's "Hoops Mania," which included the awarding of rings to players commemorating the Wildcats' involvement in the 2009 NCAA Final Four.
Still, he is trying to turn what happened into a positive.
"I try to be a good example for my teammates: If they come into any situation like I did, that they can learn from me," Redding said yesterday at the Pavilion in his first interview since his arrest.
"I want to be a positive example for the program, for the university, just do the right thing, don't get into any bad situations and not feel sorry for myself," he said. "What happened, I can't look back. I can't start over. I'm just going to look forward."
Villanova coach Jay Wright said he talks often with Redding.
"All we have to do now is find a way to make this a positive," Wright said. "What we're trying to do in the end is make sure he's not the guy that they say, 'Hey, that was Reggie Redding, he got in trouble his senior year.' People are going to say that, but I hope they say he was a great example to his teammates and to all college basketball players by the way he handled it."
Redding was arrested July 28 by Radnor Township police after officers were called to investigate a report that a car had hit a pedestrian crosswalk sign near campus dormitories on South Ithan Avenue.
A police report said officers checking out a car owned by Redding noted a "clear bag containing a green leafy vegetable matter in the center cupholder of the car, plus a grinder."
Redding was charged with two misdemeanors. A charge of possession or distribution of a small amount of marijuana has since been dropped, but Redding still faces a charge of possession of drug paraphernalia.
Redding said he could not comment on the case because it remains ongoing.
The 6-foot-4 graduate of St. Joseph's Prep said it hurt to have to inform his parents and Wright of his arrest but that the support he has received from teammates, coaches and the university has been gratifying. He also said he appreciates the chance to be able to practice, and to play again.
Wright is leaving the door open to naming Redding a captain once he returns for the first game for which he is eligible, Dec. 19 against Fordham.
"He's still a leader on this team and you can't hide that," Wright said. "Everything we do, he's a leader. I think he's handled it great, I really do."
Contact staff writer Joe Juliano at 215-854-4494 or jjuliano@phillynews.com.
