SACRAMENTO — Authorities are investigating allegations that SacramentoKings player Justin Williams sexually assaulted a female acquaintance, aSacramento Police Department spokesman said Thursday.

Team spokesman Troy Hanson said Williams has been given an indefinite leaveof absence and returned to Sacramento from a road trip to New Mexico to obtain alawyer, a step recommended by team officials.

Hanson would not say whether the team planned to suspend Williams.

“We recently became aware of a complaint involving Justin Williams thatapparently is being investigated by the Sacramento police,” Hanson said. “Weare currently in the process of evaluating any additional information thatbecomes available to us.”

Criminal investigators searched Williams’ home Wednesday night, leaving withsome items that police are evaluating, police Sgt. Matt Young said during a newsconference.

Williams, a reserve center, has not been charged and is cooperating withofficers, Young said.

“We are literally right in the middle of this investigation. There is a lotto be done,” he said. “It’s important we don’t jump to any conclusions.”

He added: “We are not going to rush anything.”

Police launched the investigation after a local hospital advised them lastFriday that a patient had reported a sexual assault early that morning. Youngdeclined to describe the type of assault or identify the woman except to say sheis in her early 20s and was an acquaintance of the Kings player.

Investigators have spoken with Williams by telephone, as well as anotherperson who was in the house at the time the assault allegedly took place. Youngdeclined to identify the third person.

Williams’ agent, Byron Irvin, said he was informed of the search but wouldnot disclose details.

The 23-year-old Williams is entering his second season with the Kings. Heaveraged five points in 26 games with the team last year.

He played his final two college seasons at Wyoming before signing with theKings as an undrafted free agent in the summer of 2006. He was cut during theteam’s 2006 training camp and played with the Dakota Wizards of the NBA’sDevelopment League before rejoining the Kings last January.

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