MILFORD, Conn. -- A former University of Connecticut basketball player and Milford basketball coach appeared in court Thursday on sexual assault charges.

Channel 3 Eyewitness News reporter Leon Collins reported that Robert Dulin was dressed somewhat casually as he walked into Milford Superior Court Thursday afternoon, accompanied by his wife and attorney Hugh Keefe.

Collins reported that Dulin entered pleas of no contest to sexual assault, breach of peace and violation of a protective order charges.

The state had charged the former UConn hoop star with illegally having a sexual relationship with a 16-year-old player, whom he had also been coaching.

Keefe said that state law allows the nolo contendere pleas in the case because the alleged victim also plans civil action.

"She's suing him, she's suing his wife, Mrs. Dulin, and as I've already indicated in court, she's suing the Milford Board of Education," Keefe said.

Keefe said that Dulin agreed to a seven-year sentence, suspended after two years served, because the family wants to put the trial behind them.

State's Attorney Kevin Lawlor said that if Dulin violates probation now, he could be looking at a much longer time in prison.

"I believe the conditions of probation are stringent enough to keep tabs on him. They'll know immediately if he leaves his home, and hopefully he'll understand that 16 years hanging over his head is a lot worse than the two years he's looking at right now," Lawlor said.

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