Donald Little wasn't introduced when the University of Cincinnati basketball team was announced at its “Salute to a Special Season” postseason awards ceremony Tuesday night at Shoemaker Center. But after the players and coaches were seated, with the lights in the arena still dim, Little scooted out to the circle of chairs at midcourt and sat next to coach Bob Huggins, later moving to a seat next to Steve Logan.

Coach Bob Huggins and Donald Little at UC's basketball awards ceremony. (Brandi Stafford photos) | ZOOM |

Little looks at his award while sitting next to former teammates Steve Logan and Leonard Stokes. | ZOOM |

        It is the first time Little has taken part in anything involving the UC program since he was dismissed last month.

        On April 11, a Hamilton County grand jury indicted Little and another man on two counts of felonious assault and one count kidnapping in the alleged assault and torture of Little's roommate, Justin Hodge, on April 1.

        In his first interview since the indictment, Little said he has been attending classes at UC and is still on schedule to graduate in June. He also said he is considering declaring himself eligible for the NBA draft and pursuing a pro career once he earns his degree.

        “It's been really tough,” said an upbeat Little, who got a nice ovation when he received awards as the team's leading rebounder and shot blocker. “I'm still fighting. The story's so screwed up. It's not true. Now I've got to go to court, fight it out, and I should come out on top. I've got faith.”

        If convicted, the 6-foot-11 center could face 26 years in prison.

        Little, who stayed after the program and signed autographs, said he thinks about the charges against him every day, though nobody on campus asks him anything about the incident.

        “People who know me know I didn't do it,” he said. “It's false. It's a long story.”

LITTLE STORIES

• Little accused of torturing roommate April 3 • Little kicked off Bearcats April 4 • UC image takes another bottle to the head April 9 • Little is likeable but volatile Apr. 12

        There was plenty of footage of Little on the video highlights shown to the crowd, including his game-winning jump shot against Marquette.

        Huggins, who dismissed Little from the program, had no problem with him attending the ceremony and receiving his awards.

        “He's supposed to be here,” Huggins said. “This was about last year's team.”

        The only player missing Tuesday night was Immanuel McElroy, who is in Texas working out. He and Logan have been invited to the NBA pre-draft camp in Chicago next month, Huggins said. Logan has been working out in Washington, D.C.; Jamaal Davis is working out in Atlanta. Davis said he recently heard from the Memphis Grizzlies.

Logan hogs UC basketball awards

Little attends UC awards ceremony Logan hogs UC basketball awards

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