Sixers Notes: Christmas arrested on gun charges

Dionte Christmas, the former Temple University basketball star who was cut by the 76ers on Wednesday, was arrested last night in North Philadelphia, police said.

According to police spokesman Lt. Frank Vanore, Christmas was arrested by Highway Patrol officers about 7:30 while driving on Nedro Avenue near Broad Street.

He was initially stopped for driving erratically, and subsequently found to be driving without a license, Vanore said.

The vehicle had a Hi-Point 9mm semiautomatic pistol under the driver's seat with seven rounds in it, Vanore said.

Christmas was taken to the 35th Police District to be charged with felony firearms offenses. His passenger was not charged, Vanore said.

Police would not confirm a report that the car and weapon belong to Sixers forward Marreese Speights.

Christmas is a 6-foot-5 guard who starred at Fels High and Lutheran Christian Academy. He averaged 19.5 points per game in his senior season at Temple.

Christmas' agent, Andre Buck, said he was trying to contact his client. "I'm sure there is some explanation," Buck said.

Sixers spokesman Mike Preston said the team would not comment.