Wisconsin basketball recruit Marcetteaus McGee awaits a preliminary hearing Aug. 13, after being released Monday on bond following charges of felony sexual assault.
Police arrested McGee, who signed with Badgers coach Bo Ryan in April, on Thursday morning at the Towers residence hall on the 500 block of N. Frances. Hours earlier, McGee allegedly had sex with a female in her apartment at the Towers while she was sleeping, then tried to keep her from calling the police, according to court documents.
He faces second-degree sexual assault, which carries a maximum of 30 years in jail, and a misdemeanor count for interfering in the reporting of a crime. His status on the basketball team is uncertain.
“We will urge Marcetteaus to continue cooperating fully with the law enforcement officials as they conduct their investigation,” Ryan said in a statement. “As the legal process plays out, we will continue to confer with our athletic department administration and campus officials to determine what action, if any, our basketball staff might take.”
Ryan, who was out of town on Thursday, said he had not spoken with McGee.
A number of athletes are staying at the Towers during summer conditioning programs, according to several high school juniors who are also staying at the private hall for a camp program and knew McGee. They said several athletes went “back” to Milwaukee and Chicago before police arrived for questioning Thursday.
The police conducted a “lengthy investigation” before charging McGee, according to MPD information officer Larry Kamholz. The victim said she woke up to fine McGee, who she recognized, having sex with her. She tried to push him away, but he was too big, she said in her complaint.
After she threatened to dial 911, McGee held her wrists and pulled out the telephone cord. The incident was eventually reported, and police found the victim and McGee in her apartment.
Both are 18 years old.
McGee is a 6-foot-1 point guard who played at Farragut High School in Chicago. He helped lead Farragut to a 22-10 record and was a unanimous all-city selection and honorable-mention all-state, averaging 16 points and 6 assists.
“We are very excited to have Marcetteaus join our basketball family. Our staff is looking forward to helping Marcetteaus throughout his career at Wisconsin,” Ryan said after signing the player in April.
McGee was the last of five Ryan recruits — the first class under the second-year coach — who include Jason Chappell, Ray Nixon, Alando Tucker and Maurice Wade. McGee was expected to compete to fill the point guard vacancy left by graduating Travon Davis.
This weekend, he spent 96 hours in jail. He will appear before Todd Meurer Aug. 13.
