Warriors forward Draymond Green was arrested on an assault charge in East Lansing, Mich., on Sunday after he allegedly slapped a Michigan State football player, according to sources.
The East Lansing Police Department arrested Green in connection with the altercation that took place at 2:28am, and he was released on $200 bond, according to a district court document released Monday. The victim was not injured.
“I will tell you, Draymond is completely innocent - ‘completely’ should be capitalised,” James Heos, Green’s attorney said by phone before declining further comment.
Heos, filed a waiver of arraignment, and the player does not need to attend it in person.
Green, 26, was an All-American player at Michigan State who became an All-Star this season while on the Warriors’ record-setting 73-win team and has previously won an NBA championship.
His ties to Michigan State run deep, as he donated $3.1mn to his alma mater last year after signing a new five-year, $82mn contract with the Warriors. Hours before the incident, he attended the wedding of a former Michigan State football player.
But in the wee hours of the morning, Green was arrested near campus shortly after leaving a Conrad’s Grill, East Lansing Police Department public information officer Scott Wrigglesworth told the Detroit Free Press. The restaurant serves no alcohol, keeping its doors open until 2:45am to cater to a college town crowd that enjoys night light in the area.
A video obtained by TMZ.com showed Green with his hands behind his back walking with two officers as they escorted him to a police vehicle.
The Warriors released a statement on Monday.
“We are aware of news involving Draymond Green in Michigan over the weekend. At this point, we are collecting information and will have no further comment until we have a better understanding of the situation.”
USA Basketball released a similarly worded statement, as Green is a member of the US Olympic team that will compete next month in Rio de Janeiro. The team begins training in Las Vegas on July 18 and will play in a July 26 exhibition at Oracle Arena.
Along with his stellar play, Green has previously apologized for lapses in judgment this season.
He did so after putting himself in the position to accumulate enough postseason flagrant fouls to be suspended for Game 5 of the NBA Finals - a game and series the Warriors went on to lose.
In February, Green apologized after going on a halftime tirade in the locker room at Oklahoma City that was directed at coach Steve Kerr but could be overheard by a television reporter.
In March, Green said he used “poor judgment” after a video was posted to his Snapchat account showing a car occupant’s view of the speedometer reaching 118 mph.
Green lives in the Bay Area, but often returns to East Lansing, Mich. He grew up about an hour’s drive away in Saginaw and has said he wanted to be a positive role model.
“I try to be a bright spot for the city, keep my nose clean,” Green said in January. I’m trying to show kids that, ‘Hey man, he’s from Saginaw, he’s doing this, why can’t they?’ Staying clean is a part of that. I just think it’s very important to not only have success on the court. Keep playing as well as I’ve been playing, but also continue to carry myself the right way. I think that’s more important than anything.”