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Friday, May 31
 
Levingston charged with owing $100,000 in support

Associated Press

DODGE CITY, Kan. -- Cliff Levingston, who played on the 1991 and 1992 Chicago Bulls championship NBA teams, was freed on $25,000 bond Friday after an initial court appearance in Wichita.

The former Wichita State star was arrested in Dodge City for owing more than $100,000 in child support in California, the FBI said Thursday.

Levingston also was ordered to report to federal court in San Diego next week for a court proceeding.

Levingston, the first-year head coach of the United States Basketball League's Dodge City Legend, was arrested Wednesday night after Dodge City's 106-92 loss to the Adirondack Wildcats. He was wanted on a warrant issued by a federal judge in San Diego, where the support is owed to a woman who has custody of Levingston's daughter.

A native of San Diego who played 11 seasons in the NBA, Levingston was ordered in 1997 to pay $1,000 per month in child support, plus an additional $500 per month for back money owed, according to the FBI.

Legend general manager Tom Nelson told the Dodge City Daily Globe on Thursday that assistant coaches Mike Taylor and Dale Osbourne would coach the team in Levingston's absence.

Nelson did not say whether Levingston would return to his coaching duties.

``I have no idea,'' Nelson said. ``But I'm going to support Cliff as much as I can because he's my friend, and I'll be there to stand by him like I would any friend.''

After starring at Wichita State, where he helped the Shockers reach the NCAA regional finals in 1981, Levingston was drafted No. 9 by the Detroit Pistons in 1982. He played for Detroit, Atlanta, Chicago and Denver in the NBA. In 1992, he signed a two-year, $2.4 million contract to play with a Greek professional team.

He played one season in Greece and one in Italy before returning to the NBA to close out his career with the Nuggets.

According to the Legend's media guide, Levingston is married with five children, ages 7 to 17.