SACRAMENTO, CALIF. ? Chris Webber, making his first public statement since being indicted on federal charges, said Tuesday he did not lie to a grand jury and that he tried to help prosecutors in their case against a University of Michigan booster.

The Sacramento Kings forward was indicted Monday in Detroit on charges he lied about his dealings with Ed Martin, who admits lending the NBA forward $280,000 while he was still an amateur. Martin also admitted lending money to other Michigan basketball players.

Webber was charged with obstruction of justice and making a false declaration before a grand jury, according to the FBI and U.S. attorney’s office in Detroit.

“I did not lie to the grand jury,” Webber said.

Kings coach Rick Adelman and vice president of basketball operations Geoff Petrie joined Webber outside the team’s practice facility next to Arco Arena.

“We’ll support Chris in whatever he chooses to do. And we don’t think it will affect what he does on the court.” said Petrie.

Webber said he was speaking out because “I wanted to show my supporters I am not running away from the situation.”