Former Louisville Basketball Star Arrested for DUI

Early Sunday morning, Louisville Metro police apprehended a former star of the Louisville basketball team for driving under the influence.

Russ Smith, who was part of the 2013 NCAA championship team—though that title was later vacated—was pulled over after officers noticed erratic driving and expired license plates. A report from Courier Journal provided insights into the arrest.

Upon speaking with Smith, officers detected a “strong smell of alcoholic beverage.” He failed a field sobriety test after reportedly admitting to having “two bourbons” prior to getting behind the wheel, as indicated in the arrest report.

Witnesses said he appeared “shaking” as he exited the vehicle and did not perform well on a walk-and-turn test, according to WDRB.

Smith’s blood alcohol content (BAC) registered at 0.073. In Kentucky, a driver can face charges with a BAC over 0.04, or even if it is below that but paired with other evidence of impairment.

As the law states, “That fact, along with other competent evidence, may be considered in determining the defendant’s guilt or innocence.”

A police spokesperson told WDRB, “We will allow the arrest slip to speak on its own,” when questioned about Smith’s BAC.

Smith is charged with DUI, reckless driving, and operating with unregistered license plates.

After his arrest, he was released and is set to appear in Jefferson County District Court on June 11 for a hearing.

Reportedly, Smith is also scheduled to participate in a basketball tournament this summer.

During his four years at Louisville, he averaged 14.3 points per game and has also played professionally with teams like the Pelicans and Grizzlies, along with time in the G League. He attended high school at Archbishop Molloy in Queens.