Threats Against Obama's Niece Prompt Security Hike at Princeton's NCAA Tournament Game

A reported threat against President Barack Obama's niece, a player on Princeton's women's basketball team, prompted increased security at the Tigers' NCAA Tournament game at Maryland on Monday night.

Hours after Maryland beat Princeton 85-70, University of Maryland police said someone had called them around 3 p.m. to say she had gotten a text from somebody else who said a man she knew had a gun. Obama's niece was mentioned, police said in their statement.

Police began investigating and notified the U.S. Secret Service, and security at the NCAA game was increased as a precaution, police said.

"Our investigation reveals at this time that these details that were passed on from this third party are unsubstantiated," police added.

On Saturday, President Obama attended Princeton's 80-70 victory over Wisconsin-Green Bay in the first round, inevitably drawing attention to his niece, freshman forward Leslie Robinson. Her father, Craig Robinson, is the brother of first lady Michelle Obama.

The threat was first reported by USA Today.

After Monday's game, Princeton coach Courtney Banghart confirmed that she was aware of the threat before tipoff, but Leslie Robinson was not. Robinson did not appear in either of Princeton's NCAA Tournament games.

"It's incredibly disappointing that the first question we get (after) being 31-1 (and) in the NCAA Tournament is about a freak," Banghart said.

"College Park police, I'm sure, had that under control. Leslie is safe. She's in my locker room. No one loves her like I do. She's an important part of our team," Banghart added. "Keep the freaks out of our gym."

Neither the president nor the first lady attended Monday's game, although Supreme Court Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan sat near Princeton's bench.

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