Hornets First-Round Pick Charged With Assault After Punching Teenager

Former UNC star P.J. Hairston—who was forced to turn pro and spend last season in the D-League after being suspended by the NCAA for receiving impermissible benefits—went to a local pickup game at the YMCA this weekend, where he got mad and punched a 17-year-old kid he was playing against.

Hairston's agent, Juan Morrow, confirmed to Yahoo that Hairston did get into a fight with a high school player named Kentrell Barkley, but characterized the incident as a "minor altercation" that was nothing more than two guys getting swept of in the heat of the moment. Barkley tells a somewhat different story, though:

Barkley, however, disputed Morrow's interpretation of the altercation, telling Yahoo Sports that Hairston punched him while driving to the basket after they trash-talked during the game. Barkley said Hairston then punched him in the neck after approaching him following the first punch. Barkley said he didn't hit Hairston and couldn't retaliate because he was held back before Hairston quickly departed.

"I was surprised," Barkley told Yahoo Sports. "I asked, 'Why did you punch me?' I didn't hit him one time. I didn't hit him at all."

Barkley went to the police station after the incident, and today Hairston was charged with assault and battery.

In other news, the car that Josh Gordon was driving when he was arrested for a DWI this weekend is owned by P.J. Hairston. This man did not have a great weekend.

[ Yahoo | My Fox 8]