Charlotte Hornets first-round pick PJ Hairston was charged with misdemeanor assault and battery and must appear in Durham County [N.C.] Court on Aug. 8. The charges stem from an altercation Sunday in which Hairston allegedly sucker punched a high school athlete during a pickup basketball game.
"I want to apologize to the Hornets organization and our fans for creating this distraction," Hairston said in a prepared statement. "As this is now a legal matter, I cannot comment on the situation any further. I am truly sorry for any embarrassment that I have caused."
According to Northern Durham High School senior Kentrell Barkley, Hairston blindsided him during a game at a local YMCA. Barkley added that when he confronted Hairston about the punch, the former UNC player struck him again.
"We were playing open gym and I was running up the court and he hit me in the forehead with his fist," said Barkely "I walked up to him and asked him what happened and then he hit me again in the neck.”
Hairston’s agent maintains that his client was antagonized and was struck first, but Vince Phillips, a friend of Barkley, saw the whole thing and believes Barkley did nothing wrong.
"Kentrell's team had beaten P.J. a few times and they were winning again," said Phillips "P.J. was talking to him, then he got the ball, looked up the court and dribbled to Kentrell full-speed, threw his fist and then went and scored. Then he hit him again.”
"I'm a lifelong UNC fan and I played against P.J. in high school," Phillips added. "I've always rooted for him -- even with all the stuff that happened last year. But after this, I don't think I could look him in the face.”
Hairston left the scene before local police could arrive. The 6-foot-6, 230-pound Hairston is no stranger to controversy. Despite leading the team in scoring as a sophomore, Hairston was not allowed to participate in the first 10 games of his junior season as school officials investigated allegations that he received improper benefits.
After the school opted not to seek reinstatement for Hairston he joined the Texas Legends of the NBA Development League last season.
Hairston was involved in an NCAA investigation involving use of rental vehicles tied to former felon and party promoter Haydn "Fats" Thomas.
[ESPN]
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