The dismissed Scottish basketball player is suspected of murder from the USA

A Scottish basketball club has signed and then fired a player linked to a murder in the US.

The Caledonia Gladiators said they did not know Malik Dunbar, who joined last month, was a suspect in the shooting of Arthur Braxton in Augusta, Georgia.

Dunbar, 28, and team-mate Jared Wilson-Frame have both had their contracts terminated by the Premier League side.

Caledonia Gladiators said it was due to a disciplinary matter unrelated to the investigation into the October 4 murder.

Arthur Braxton, 32, was found dead outside the El Presidente Mexican restaurant, with multiple gunshot wounds.

This was reported by the local media in Augusta Dunbar was a suspect in the case.

Caledonia Gladiators said the contracts of Dunbar and Frame, who were also signed last month, had been terminated “with immediate effect based on a serious breach of club discipline”.

BBC Scotland News understands this is not linked to any type of violence.

The East Kilbride-based club said in a statement: “Following this breach, we have since been made aware of serious allegations circulating on a separate matter relating to Malik Dunbar in the US and prior to his arrival at the club.

“We work with reputable sports agencies who supply players to clubs around the world and no allegations have been uncovered as part of our due diligence process.”

It said an internal review of the signing process had been launched.

Sports agency Interperformances, which represented Dunbar, said they were not informed of his connection to the shooting and learned about it from media reports.

US media reports also said Dunbar was also arrested in August and charged by the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office with possession of a firearm or knife and possession of marijuana with intent to distribute.

The small forward and running back enjoyed a successful college career with the Auburn Tigers.

He helped Auburn University reach the famous “Final Four” in the 2019 annual college basketball tournament before playing overseas in Germany and Egypt, as well as in the NBA’s minor league, the G League.