Arkansas State's leading scorer, Adrian Banks, is suspended through the end of the calendar year after being charged with firing a handgun within Jonesboro's city limits, coach Dickey Nutt said.

Banks, who averaged 21.7 points through the season's first six games to rank 16th in the nation in scoring, has been suspended since Dec. 2. Police say he fired the handgun after leaving a nightclub early that morning. Banks said he did it to empty the gun of bullets and keep anyone else from firing it. Banks said he fired the gun into the air, which police confirmed.

Banks said he picked up the gun during a dispute after leaving the club.