On 5 May, the players, managers, and fans of Amicale Steinsel rejoiced after securing the men’s championship title by winning the third victory in the fourth game against Etzella Ettelbruck in the best-of-five series. US basketball player Kim Aiken Jr, who scored 20 points in that game, was a significant contributor to this success. Aiken has since returned to the US, and his future with Amicale Steinsel for the next season remains uncertain. The club’s leadership is still determining the team’s setup for the upcoming season. However, Aiken might be unable to return due to legal troubles in the US, where he is under investigation for sexual assault in New Mexico.
The alleged incidents took place between August and December 2022, when Aiken was a student and basketball player at New Mexico State University. He, along with teammates DeShawndre Washington and Doctor Bradley, is accused of sexually humiliating other players. The accusations include forcing victims to remove their trousers and perform training exercises naked in front of the team, as well as touching their genitals. An internal investigation by the university found them guilty of violating school regulations, specifically charging them with sexual harassment, sexual assault, and creating a hostile environment. Consequently, they were expelled from the university’s basketball programme. In addition to the university’s findings, the New Mexico public prosecutor’s office has also launched an investigation into the allegations.
The US judicial authorities have confirmed to our colleagues from RTL.lu that 24-year-old Kim Aiken Jr faces multiple charges, including five counts of false imprisonment. He is also accused in four cases of criminal sexual contact in the fourth degree, which may involve using violent means to force the victim into sexual intercourse, knowing the victim was mentally or physically impaired, or that the victim was between 14 and 16 years old. Additionally, Aiken is charged with one count of criminal sexual penetration in the second degree, involving violence by a group, and one count of false imprisonment—conspiracy.
In early 2024, Aiken briefly returned to the US and pleaded not guilty before a court in Las Cruces, New Mexico. His two co-defendants had entered not guilty pleas earlier. The trial is scheduled to commence on 21 October 2024. If convicted, the defendants could face over 20 years in prison. The case has received extensive coverage in New Mexico’s local media, with some alleged victims speaking out.
Regarding his association with Amicale Steinsel, the club’s leadership acknowledged in a statement sent to our colleagues from RTL.lu that they were aware of the allegations against Aiken from the outset. They stated that they had consulted with his former college team coach and Aiken himself, which “convinced” them to offer him a contract. The club also highlighted that Aiken’s FBI-issued criminal record was “clean.” They believe that Aiken would not have been allowed to return to Luxembourg if the US judicial authorities deemed him an active threat. During his time in Luxembourg, Aiken reportedly “always behaved decently” and was seen as a “nice guy.” The club informed the other players about the case but chose not to disclose it further.
Efforts by RTL.lu to reach Aiken for comment were unsuccessful, as an enquiry sent to his US lawyer remains unanswered.
