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Khalif Wyatt's 21st birthday weekend in Atlantic City probably didn't end the way he hoped.
The Temple guard was arrested early Sunday morning during a two-day prostitution bust that included 27 other people, according to CSN Philadelphia. Police apprehended Wyatt trying to flee the scene after he allegedly solicited an undercover police officer posing as a prostitute.
"I apologize to my family, teammates, coaches and Temple University for the embarrassment that I have caused," Wyatt said in a statement late Monday night. "I was in Atlantic City this past weekend celebrating my 21st birthday with friends and exercised very poor judgment by allowing myself and my friends to be put in a compromising situation. I intend to cooperate with the authorities during their investigation and the legal process."
Hiring a prostitute is a poor choice under any circumstances, of course, but it's especially curious that Wyatt would have to resort to such tactics. Is it that difficult these days for a star basketball player from a top program like Temple to find a college woman who might be interested in him?
Regardless, the arrest of Wyatt is a blow to a Temple program that is counting on him to go from key player to go-to threat next season. Wyatt averaged 17.1 points per game as a junior last season for an Owls team that also featured guards Ramone Moore and Juan Fernandez.
"We have just become aware of the charges and are still gathering information at this point," Temple senior associate athletic director for communications Larry Dougherty said in a statement.
Moore, Fernandez and top big man Micheal Eric have graduated, but the hope for the Owls is that Wyatt and a now healthy Scootie Randall can help pick up the slack.
Wyatt showed he might be capable of that on the court last season, especially during a 22-point, five-steal effort against Duke in January. There still appears to be room for improvement, however in his decision making off the court.
