“I just want to be able to move forward and regain my trust with a lot of players and coaches and family and refocus my whole life,” Nix said through tears. “(I want to) continue to finish out the rest of this year and become the leader that everybody is looking forward for me to be.”

The legal action and subsequent press conference stemmed from an incident that occurred about 12:20 a.m. April 3 when Nix was pulled over by an East Lansing police officer for taking a left hand turn at a red light at the corner of Lake Lansing and Abbot roads in his brother’s girlfriend’s 2007 Dodge Charger, although police originally indicated it was a 2011 vehicle.

Nix told police he had smoked a joint of marijuana prior to the stop, and reports obtained from the East Lansing Police Department by The State News indicate Nix failed all three tests he was given by the officer.

Although Nix has had other traffic violations in East Lansing in the past, this is his first drug-related offense.

Nix’s original operating charge was lessened and the possession charge dropped after the plea deal Thursday.

The charge of impaired driving still is significant, East Lansing City Attorney Tom Yeadon said, but an impaired driving sentence usually entails a smaller penalty than OUID.

Those guilty of impaired driving usually are sentenced to a probationary period, given up to $300 in fines and could have a suspended or restricted license for a period of time, Yeadon said. Being found guilty of OUID likely would result in higher fines and more points on the recipient’s license.

“It’s considered a lesser offense, and it’s a common plea bargain offer,” Yeadon said.

Following the Spartans’ 57-44 loss to Louisville in the Sweet 16 on March 22, Izzo said he expected Nix — who averaged 8.1 points and 3.8 rebounds per game this season — to be one of the players to replace senior forward Draymond Green as a team leader and captain next year. Izzo did not rule that out as a possibility Thursday, saying “some of my best leaders were guys that made mistakes and then moved on.”

However, Izzo said Nix will need to adhere to certain ground rules this summer, and he will have to deal with punishments, which could include game suspensions, Izzo has yet to officially decide on.

“I think there’s some probable things that will happen,” Izzo said. “Those are going to stay in-house until I meet with (Athletics Director Mark Hollis), my staff, with Derrick and watch his progress. Then I’ll make those decisions. It will be strictly for the betterment of the program and him.”

Nix’s sentencing is scheduled for May 11.