It’s possible the reigning Mid-American Conference Player of the Year has played his final game with the Buffalo men’s basketball team.
Senior forward Justin Moss, along with teammates Raheem Johnson and Mory Diane, were involved in an on-campus burglary in June and could face suspension or expulsion from UB. Student-Wide Judiciary (SWJ) will determine the players’ fates.
The Buffalo News was the first to report news of the incident and the players' potential punishment from the university.
According to a University Police report, which The Spectrum obtained via a Freedom of Information request, the trio was caught stealing $650 from two football players’ North Campus dormitory on June 2. The incident was deemed a second-degree burglary with an illegal entrance into a dwelling.
The basketball players returned the money and the victims did not file charges, hence why SWJ will determine the players’ punishments. SWJ has the power to level sanctions such as community service hours, disciplinary probation and recommended expulsion or suspension. The Buffalo News also reported that Moss was involved in another theft during his time at UB and that SWJ will have to consider that in their decision.
Moss, Johnson and Diane had jobs replacing batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in South Lake Village, where they were given a copy of the master key on June 1. The theft occurred on June 2 between 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. while the football players were at practice. $500 was stolen from the wallet of one victim and $150 was stolen from the wallet of the second victim.
The Bulls coaching staff learned of the burglary and confronted the players, who admitted guilt. Arrangements were made for Moss to return the money to the football players. Moss, Johnson and Diane were fired from their jobs and suspended from the basketball team, according to the police report.
Moss led the Bulls to the NCAA Tournament last season with 17.5 points and 9.2 rebounds per game en route to MAC Player of the Year honors. Moss figured to be Buffalo’s main option next season, especially with the transfer of Shannon Evans to Arizona State.
Raheem Johnson, a senior forward, averaged 2.8 points and 2.5 rebounds in his first season with the Bulls. Both he and Moss played under Bulls head coach Nate Oats at Romulus High School in Detroit, Michigan.
Diane, a sophomore guard, was academically ineligible the second half of last season.
This story has been updated to include additional information after The Spectrum obtained a copy of the police report of the incident.
Tom Dinki contributed reporting on this piece.
Jordan Grossman is the co-senior sports editor. He can be reached at jordan.grossman@ubspectrum.com. Follow him on Twitter: @jordanmgrossman
Photo: Ryan Hagen | UB Athletics
