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Longwood player arrested for punching his dance-off opponent

Longwood player arrested for punching his dance-off opponent

The arrest of a basketball player from Division I newcomer Longwood University wouldn't normally make headlines nationally.

What makes Shaquille Johnson's legal trouble more noteworthy is what led up to it.

Johnson, an Auburn transfer, was charged with felony malicious wounding after an August 31 altercation that started because of a dance-off, of all things. Farmville Police Chief Doug Mooney told the Longwood Rotunda that Johnson was unhappy with the outcome of his dance-off against Hampton Sydney College student Aaron Doman and allegedly struck Doman in the mouth hard enough to knock out several of his teeth and send him to the hospital.

While it's hard not to chuckle at the idea of felony charges stemming from a one-on-one dance competition at a party, the incident is likely no laughing matter for Johnson. The onetime highly regarded prospect is still trying to resurrect his basketball career after off-the-court troubles derailed it. 

Former Auburn coach Tony Barbee dismissed Johnson in July 2013 after Auburn police charged him with second degree possession of marijuana following a traffic stop. Barbee's comments afterward suggested this was not Johnson's first offense during his year-long stint with the Tigers.

"We hold our student-athletes to a high standard at Auburn University in the way that they conduct themselves off the court,” Barbee said in a news release. “I am very disappointed in Shaq’s choices and actions, and they won’t be tolerated. This decision is not one that I take lightly, but it is in the best interest of both the program and the student-athlete."

Johnson spent a year at Northwest Florida State College following his dismissal at Auburn before enrolling at Longwood this year. Judging from the statement Longwood Athletics gave the Rotunda, it appears Johnson will still be playing for the Lancers this season despite his latest arrest.

“Shaquille is in school now and going about his business as a Longwood student and student-athlete as he should,” Assistant VP for Athletics Communications, Chris Cook, told the newspaper. “With respect to due process and the privacy that should be given to both parties, we will await further details on the matter before commenting any further. He is still a member of the basketball team and he has our full support.”

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Jeff Eisenberg is the editor of The Dagger on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at daggerblog@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!