Former Razorback sentenced to jail

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (AP) -- Former Arkansas Razorback basketball player Ali Thompson was sentenced to 18 months in jail after pleading guilty to a prescription fraud charge. <br><br>In a Thursday hearing

Friday, June 23rd 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (AP) -- Former Arkansas Razorback basketball player Ali Thompson was sentenced to 18 months in jail after pleading guilty to a prescription fraud charge.

In a Thursday hearing in Washington County Circuit Court, Thompson also admitted violating the terms of his probation on a1999 felony conviction for marijuana possession.

Thompson, a 6-foot-5 forward, started 15 games during his career and played in 82. During his career, he averaged 5.7 points and 2.8rebounds per game.

His best year was 1997 when he started 11 of 32 games, averaging 7.8 points and 3.3 rebounds per game. He quit the team heading into his senior season in the fall of 1998.

Circuit Judge William Storey lectured Thompson, saying the23-year-old has to beat his drug problem.

"Mr. Thompson, it's really a shame. You had such talent, and you wasted it ... on drugs. It's been your problem for a longtime," Storey said. "Until you beat that problem, you'll be in and out of the penitentiary."

Storey sentenced Thompson to a regional punishment facility of the Arkansas Department of Community Punishment.

Thompson was arrested in February after he tried to leave a Wal-Mart Supercenter where police said he attempted to fill a fake prescription for Xanax, a sedative usually taken to reduce anxiety. Police said he filled a fake prescription at another store earlier.

On Thursday, Thompson pleaded guilty to obtaining a controlled substance by fraud and to a charge of attempting to obtain a controlled substance by fraud.

He is to report July 24 to the Washington County jail, where he will then be transferred to the minimum-security prison.

Thompson played high school ball at Jonesboro.