Pitt freshman forward John Hugley reinstated to team after felony counts dropped

Prosecutors on Thursday withdrew felony charges against Pitt basketball freshman forward John Hugley, making him eligible for a program that ultimately will allow the case against him to be expunged from his record.

He was subsequently reinstated to the team.

Hugley was initially charged with criminal conspiracy and receiving stolen property after police said he took a woman’s car from Central Oakland last July.

But on Thursday, prosecutors withdrew those felony counts and replaced them with misdemeanor charges of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and driving without a license, which makes Hugley eligible for the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition program, said his attorney Frank Walker.

As a first-time offender, Walker said, Hugley will be able to complete a probationary sentence, and the charges will be expunged from his record.

He said the case is one of “Kids being kids in college, making bad decisions. Joy riding in the car.

“He’s the last person left holding the bag.”

According to the criminal complaint, a woman told police she arrived at Pitt’s campus with three friends around 11:30 p.m. July 19, and went to the dorms.

While there, they went to Hugley’s dorm room, where she left her purse that contained her car keys.

The next morning, the woman said her white Chevy Malibu was no longer where she’d parked it on Coltart Avenue.

Police said the car was found about two weeks later at Forbes and Coltart avenues.

It had a stolen plate on it when it was found.

Video footage from the area showed a man identified as Hugley’s friend walk to the car shortly after midnight and get inside, police said.

He later returned with Hugley, who got in the driver’s seat, and the two drove away, the complaint said.

Video footage from Aug. 2 — shortly before police found the car — shows Hugley getting out of it, investigators said.

Hugley (6-foot-9, 240 pounds) was suspended indefinitely from the team.

He was forced to leave Pitt’s dorms, Walker said, so he returned to his home in Cleveland and took online classes.

Walker said Hugley hopes to be able to enroll in summer classes.

“I don’t think we should over-penalize him for who he is or who he plays for,” the lawyer said. “He’s trying to rectify things.”

Hugley had been suspended from the team since Jan. 15.

Hugley will begin summer school Monday and will participate in all team activities, according to a Pitt news release.

“We are proud of the way he has handled himself to recover from the mistakes he made,” coach Jeff Capel said in a statement. “John has taken ownership of his actions, remained committed to his academics and focused on his individual growth outside of basketball.

“We look forward to his full return to the University of Pittsburgh and the opportunity to continue to mentor a young man with a bright future.”

Hugley averaged 5.1 points and 4.3 rebounds in seven games last season before he was suspended.

“I am excited to be back at the University of Pittsburgh to continue my education on and off the court,” Hugley said in a statement released by the university. “The love and support I received from coach Capel, the coaching staff and my teammates provided me with the strength to grow throughout the past five months.”

Hugley’s return gives Pitt 11 scholarship players, two short of the NCAA-mandated limit.

Staff writer Jerry DiPaola contributed.