It's late August and Tennessee basketball is in the news, but not for the reason first-year coach Bruce Pearl would like.

Senior Jemere Hendrix capped off his summer vacation by being charged with possession of marijuana and driving without a license on Aug. 13 in his hometown of Covington, Ga.

"We are aware of the situation involving Jemere Hendrix," Pearl said in a statement released on Wednesday. "As the facts present themselves and as the legal process unfolds we will make a determination as to how it will affect Jemere's status on the men's basketball team.

"At this time we are dealing with discipline internally."

Pearl couldn't be reached for further comment.

A Georgia State Patrol officer stopped Hendrix on the evening of Aug. 13 and took him into custody.

The marijuana possession was a misdemeanor offense and Hendrix posted $1,780 bond around 2 a.m. Aug. 14, the Covington (Ga.) News reported.

Hendrix, an athletic 6-foot-8 forward from East Side High School, originally signed with Clemson. He suffered a season-ending stress fracture early in his freshman season and ultimately transferred to Tennessee.

Hendrix sat out the 2002-03 season as a walk-on and was awarded a scholarship prior to the 2003-04 season.

He spent his sophomore and junior seasons primarily as a role player for former coach Buzz Peterson.

Hendrix started 14 games as a sophomore and averaged 6.8 points to go with 6.2 rebounds.

He saw his playing time diminish as a junior, averaging 2.6 points and spending a significant amount of time in Peterson's doghouse.

With the hiring of Pearl, Hendrix was expected to fit in quickly with a new high-tempo, aggressive style of play.

Hendrix is on campus and attending classes, which began Wednesday.

The news dampened what had been a strong summer for Pearl and the UT program.

The Vols' already have commitments from highly regarded 6-8 forward Wayne Chism of Bolivar and 6-6 guard Marques Johnson of South Side High School in Ft. Wayne, Ind.