UB men’s basketball player Malik Zachery was arrested by North Tonawanda Police after allegedly stabbing a Canisius men’s basketball player during a pick-up game Wednesday.
Zachery, a recent transfer from Chipola College in Marianna, FL, has been charged with assault in the second degree and criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree, according to a press release from the City of North Tonawanda Police Department.
The incident allegedly took place at 875 Eggert Drive in North Tonawanda, which houses the St. Matthew Lutheran Church and School. Zachery and other members of the UB men’s basketball team were playing with members of the Canisius men’s basketball team in a pick-up game when the physical altercation occurred.
Zachery allegedly stabbed the player in the leg, according to the police statement.
“Upon arrival, patrol officers located a single victim with a puncture wound to the leg,” the statement reads. “Patrol officers placed a tourniquet on the victim’s leg to control the bleeding. After NTPD secured the scene, the North Tonawanda Fire Department arrived on location and continued to provide medical assistance. The victim was transported to the local hospital for further medical treatment. The suspect had fled the scene and was no longer on location.”
The UB men’s basketball team declined to comment on the investigation, but released a statement.
“The University at Buffalo and its Division of Athletics are aware that North Tonawanda Police is investigating an alleged incident involving a member of our men’s basketball team,” UB Athletics said in a statement. “We are cooperating fully with its investigation. Until we hear from police, we won’t have any further comment.”
Zachery transferred to UB from Chipola College in April after also considering offers from Ole Miss and California. The Syracuse native averaged 8.5 points, 5.8 assists and 3.9 rebounds per-game at Chipola, leading the Indians to a 27-5 record.
This is a developing story.
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Justin Weiss is The Spectrum's managing editor. In his free time, he can be found hiking, playing baseball or throwing things at his TV when his sports teams aren't winning. His words have appeared in Elite Sports New York and the Long Island Herald. He can be found on Twitter @Jwmlb1.
Anthony DeCicco is the Editor-in-Chief of The Spectrum. His words have appeared in outlets such as SLAM Magazine andSyracuse.com. In 2020, he was awarded First Prize for Sports Column Writing at the Society of Professional Journalists' Region 1 Mark of Excellence Awards. In his free time, he can be found watching ‘90s Knicks games and reading NFL Mock Drafts at 3 a.m.
