Indiana Pacers suspended Shawne Williams for three games of the upcoming NBA season after his arrest for marijuana possession and driving under influence (DUI). The 21-year-old apologized Friday for his errors and said that he will not appeal.

"I am very disappointed that I put myself in this position and I take full responsibility and want to be held accountable for my actions," Williams said in a written statement.

He apologized to supporters, family, teammates, club and Pacers’ owners Herb and Mel Simon.

The Pacers were much tougher in precedent similar cases, including the fight with fans in Detroit that led to charges and major suspensions and a shooting incident outside a strip club.

Former NBA legend Larry Bird, currently Pacers president, underlined conduct as he explained the suspension.

"He's a good kid who made a bad decision. Our franchise is in a position now where the responsibilities, conduct and standards of the players off the court weigh as heavily as they do on the court," Bird said.

Williams’ suspension begins on October 31 when the Pacers begin the Regular season against the Washington Wizards and he will also miss the next two matches against Miami and at Memphis.

No possession charge

It seems that the suspended forward will at least avoid the possession charge as prosecutors said on Thursday that they won't pursue the marijuana charges filed against Williams because it would be too difficult to prove.

The marijuana cigarette was found in the ashtray when the police officer stopped the car and passenger Roosevelt Rollins admitted that the “blunt” cigarette was his.

"Technically…it would be difficult to prove a reasonable doubt he [Williams] had the marijuana," according to Matthew Symons of the Marion County prosecutor's office.

Williams was driving his SUV that police pulled over for changing lanes without signaling at 12:45 a.m. local time. He had no license and, instead, handed one of the officers a Tennessee identification card. Moreover, the SUV's license plate expired in July.

The third passenger, 32-year-old Roderick Helton of Memphis, was carrying a Smith & Wesson 9-mm handgun that had been reported stolen in Collierville, Tenn. He was arrested for possession of handgun without license and theft receiving stolen property.