A tearful Derrick Nix, with head MSU basketball coach Tom Izzo at his side, announced he will stay with the team. His return is a reversal of his suspension, ordered by Izzo shortly after Nix's arrest.
During the afternoon press conference, teammates and former player Mateen Cleaves, stood around the star center to show their support.
The announcement came just hours after Nix pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of impaired driving.
Nix was arrested April 3, according to an East Lansing police report, for possession of marijuana and driving with any presence of drugs. He was suspended from the team at that time.
Under his plea at 54B District Court in East Lansing, the charge of operating a vehicle with the presence of any drugs was reduced to impaired driving. The marijuana charge was dropped in exchange.
The East Lansing police report alleges Nix admitted that he had smoked marijuana and failed a sobriety test. It also states he tested positive for marijuana at Sparrow Hospital.
Nix will be sentenced May 11 and faces a maximum fine of $500 and possible community service.
