Anchorage Daily News

Mario Chalmers' impressive start as a point guard for the Miami Heat took a sharp turn for the worse Wednesday when he and former University of Kansas teammate Darrell Arthur were booted out of the NBA's rookie transition program.

Sources told ESPN The Magazine that Chalmers -- the former Bartlett High star and three-time Daily News Class 4A player of the year -- and Arthur were caught with marijuana and women in their hotel room.

The players were caught by NBA security at the Doral Arrowwood resort in Rye Brook, N.Y., where 69 of the league's rookies arrived Tuesday night for the four-day seminar in which coaches, referees and former players speak about adapting to the league. Having visitors at the rookie transition program is not permitted.

"They were sent home for violating program rules," NBA spokesman Brian McIntyre said. "Once we have all the details, appropriate sanctions will be taken."

Chalmers and Arthur could face fines of tens of thousands of dollars and start the regular season on the suspended list, but McIntyre would not confirm any sanctions.

"We haven't made a decision yet," NBA spokesman Tim Frank said of the fine and possible suspension. "We're still reviewing it.

"The commissioner has discretion to discipline,'' he said. "We're always disappointed when you have to send someone home.''

Chalmers hit the 3-pointer to send the NCAA title game against Memphis to overtime, while Arthur had 20 points and 10 rebounds in that game. Both players decided to leave Kansas early for the NBA.

A 6-foot-1 guard and former Alaska player of the year for Bartlett High, Chalmers was taken by Minnesota with the 34th overall pick in the NBA draft and dealt to the Miami Heat in exchange for a pair of 2009 second-round picks and cash considerations.

He signed a three-year deal that will pay him $700,000 this season.

NBA policy says that Chalmers and Arthur will have to attend the program next season.

According to a Miami Heat NBA blog written by Sarah Rothschild and Michael Wallace of the Miami Herald, Chalmers status has been on the rise since draft day.

"Barring a Heat trade for a veteran, (Chalmers) will be the starting point guard by Christmas," they wrote. "He sees the floor. He can get into the lane whenver he wants and he attacks the rim -- against anybody, regardless of size.

"Don't discount what he did this week against summer league competition (15.8 ppg., 5.4 apg., 2.0 spg). He held his own against Derrick Rose and Russell Westbrook. Either one of those guys would start on majority of the league's teams.

"Chalmers showed all the reasons why the Heat invested $4 million (the $2 million it paid to trade for him in the draft and the $2 million on his three-year contract) and two future draft picks to get him."

The 6-foot-9 Arthur was originally selected 27th overall by the New Orleans Hornets before being traded to Portland and then Houston in draft night deals. Memphis acquired his rights from the Rockets for Donte Greene and a 2009 second-round pick.

Arthur, who signed a multi-year deal with the Grizzlies, averaged 12.8 points and 6.3 rebounds last season as a sophomore at Kansas.

Kansas coach Bill Self released the following statement Wednesday afternoon.

"We really don't know all the facts yet, and I certainly would never comment publicly on any personal matter concerning any player I have ever coached," Self said. "Beyond that, I can say that both Mario and Darrell were great to coach. They played a huge role in our success the past few years, in large part due to their unselfishness and the sacrifices they made for our program. We all very much enjoyed our time and association with both of them, and we will continue to support them."

The Kansas City Star and Miami Herald contributed to this report.

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