For unknown reasons, the preliminary hearing for two NIU basketball players charged with theft of a check has been continued until Dec. 1 at 1:30 p.m. in the Sycamore County Courthouse.

Howard Wertz, attorney for NIU students Brian Banks and Antwon Harmon, would not say why the hearing was postponed.

Judge Douglas Engel, who is presiding over the case, said, “I do not know why (the case was continued) other than it was a joint request by the defendants and the state’s attorneys.”

Engel said a continuance is granted if attorneys “represent to us that things have to be done” in a case. He said possible reasons for a continuance include a longer period of discovery for evidence or possible negotiations or plea bargains between the parties.

Banks has been suspended from the team for the year. However, Harmon still is practicing.

Court records state Banks and Harmon deposited an unsigned, $600 check into an automatic teller machine March 27 and subsequently made withdrawals from the machine.

Felony theft is a Class III probational offense, with a maximum penalty of up to two to five years in jail and a maximum fine of up to $10,000. The maximum probationary period is 30 months.