In high school Jamar Avant was the bomb, a potent offensive threat. Now Murray State’s sophomore forward is accused of being the bomb threat, better known for e-mails not dazzling feats of basketball prowess.

Two years ago, while a senior a Murphysboro High School, Avant was rated the number three player in the state of Illinois by Hoop Scoop magazine. He averaged 17 points and 15 rebounds per game.

A week ago, Avant was arrested and charged with Terroristic Threatening in the first degree, a felony. The arrest came as the result of an investigation by the MSU, Public Safety Department; a big name that means campus police.

The investigation came as the result of two e-mail bomb threats that were received on campus, which allegedly came from Avant.

Why would anyone, allegedly or not, send such e-mails when everyone in the country is on “a heightened sense of alert?”

We may never know why someone would do such a ridiculously stupid thing.

But, at this time, other questions arise, such as: How would a busy student-athlete find the time to allegedly send bomb threats? and how will Avant’s indefinite suspension affect Murray State’s team?

Steve Parker, sports information director at Murray State, helped shed some light on the unfortunate situation during an interview Monday.

You see, when you read Avant’s profile in the Racers’ media guide, you’ll notice that the forward is described as having “great size, quickness and athletic ability.” But you have to read further to see that Avant also has been “battling complications with asthma which has kept him out of workouts at times.”

As Parker put it, “If you can’t breathe its kind of hard to play basketball.”

For that very reason, Avant hasn’t played or even practiced much this season. For another reason, academic ineligibility, Avant didn’t play at all last season.

Parker said Murray State’s coaches were not expecting to see Avant contribute much this year. They realized Avant’s health might prevent him from getting in the lineup.

So, the sophomore forward, who has yet to play a single minute, has still managed to bring notoriety to the team through his alleged actions.

“It’s just another black eye for us,” Parker said.

Murray State’s program took another shiner last year when senior guard/forward Ray Cunningham was suspended indefinitely after a sexual assault charge. Two years ago, Cunningham was third on the team in scoring.

Last year the Racers finished second in Ohio Valley conference and were blown out 97-71 by Eastern in tournament play. Who knows how that game could have went with Cunningham in action.

This year, the OVC preseason Poll, which was released two weeks ago, picked Murray State to finish second.

The same poll picked Eastern to place third, with Tennessee Tech taking first.

Murray State’s Racers don’t come to Charleston until Feb. 14. When the conference rivals do arrive they’ll bring with them a program bruised by the alleged actions of one of its players, but not Jamar Avant.

Neither of which will be anything new to Murray State.