Draymond Green, left, a former Michigan State basketball player, is accused of slapping Spartans defensive back Jermaine Edmondson, No. 39 in the photo to the right, during an incident in East Lansing on Sunday, MLive.com reports. (Getty)
A Michigan State football player, Jermaine Edmondson, was slapped in the face by Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green during an incident early Sunday morning in East Lansing, according to a police report obtained by the East Bay Times.
Green was arrested on a misdemeanor assault charge after the incident. Edmondson is not named in court documents and has not commented about the incident. Green has also not commented.
Green, 26, is a native of Saginaw, Michigan, and played at Michigan State from 2008 to 2012.
East Lansing is the home of Michigan State University.
Here’s what you need to know about Edmondson, Green and the incident:
1. Green ‘Open-Handedly’ Slapped Edmondson in the Face After an Earlier Confrontation Spilled Over, Police Say
(Getty)
Draymond Green was arrested about 2:30 a.m. on a misdemeanor assault charge, according to an online court document.
Police said the victim was not injured. Other reports, including from the San Francisco Chroncile, say Green slapped a fan who taunted him.
“It was basically an altercation between two guys,” East Lansing Police Lieutenant Scott Wrigglesworth told ESPN. “There’s no injuries. He was released with a $200 bond on Sunday.”
Wrigglesworth said the alleged assault was “not a shove,” but would not confirm if it was a slap, according to ESPN.
The incident occurred at Conrad’s Grill in downtown East Lansing, police said.
According to the police report, a witness told police Green “open-handedly” slapped Edmondson across the face, causing a “loud slap sound.”
You can read the full report below:
The fight stemmed from an earlier confrontation on Friday at Rick’s American Cafe, another downtown East Lansing bar, police said. Edmondson told police Green “bumped into” him. He said he turned around and told Green to watch where he was going. Green replied, “do you know who I am?”
Green told him “I pay for n*ggas like you scholarships,” according to the report. Edmondson also said he as grabbed by the throat by someone with Green and led away. He said his girlfriend was also choked.
“This is wrong on so many levels for someone to think that something like this is okay,” Edmondson wrote in his statement. “Me and my girlfriend were both choked in front of our peers and we couldn’t do anything about it.”
Prior to the slap, at Conrad’s early Sunday morning, Green approached Edmondson and put his hand on his shoulder, the police report says. Edmondson told Green to take his hands off of him and then an argument began, according to police.
Police said Green made “excited utterances” after he was arrested, apologizing for slapping Edmondson and saying he wanted to speak with him to “make things right.”
Green had a BAC of .10 and was held in jail until he was sober, according to the police report.
Edmondson was asked by police if he wanted to press charges, and he told them he did, according to the report. His girlfriend, who saw the slap, told police Green, “should not be able to get away with that.”
Edmondson told police his neck and jaw hurt and he had a headache after being slapped, according to the report.
2. Green’s Attorney Says the NBA Star Is ‘Completely Innocent’
Draymond Green of the Golden State Warriors speaks to members of the media after being defeated by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Finals. (Getty)
Green pleaded not guilty and waived his right to arraignment. He will not have to appear in court at this time, MLive.com reports. A pre-trial conference, which Green does not have to attend, is scheduled for August.
Green’s attorney, James Heos, told the San Jose Mercury-News his client is “completely innocent,” adding that completely “should be capitalized.”
He had 10 days to return to East Lansing for his arraignment, police told ESPN. Police said the prosecution would continue from there. His arraignment was officially scheduled for July 20, according to court documents.
It was reported that Edmondson could drop the charges:
But it appears he is not planning to do so:
A good source tells me that Edmondson was originally going to drop charges against Green to keep it quiet… but has since changed his mind.
A source close to the situation tells me that Edmondson changed his mind.
“He feels offended… so he’s pressing charges” against Green.
Green faces a maximum of 90 days in jail and/or a fine of up to $500.
He spoke publicly about the incident for the first time Tuesday, according to the East Bay Times.
“My legal team is handling it,” Green said, while at a tech conference in Aspen, Colorado. “It will be resolved really quickly. As a public figure, I just can’t put myself in certain situations. It’s something that I’ll learn from and just move on.”
3. Edmondson Is Entering His Senior Season at Michigan State
Jermaine Edmondson breaks up a pass. (Getty)
Edmondson, a corner back, is set to enter his senior season at Michigan State. He appeared in all 14 games for the Spartans last season, according to the school’s website.
He has recorded 38 tackles, three pass breakups and three fumble recoveries during the 38 games he has played for Michigan State during his career.
Edmondson, a sociology major at Michigan State, turned 22 on Sunday.
Spartans football coach Mark Dantonio and the school’s athletic department have not commented about the incident.
4. He Is From Ohio & Was One of the Top Cornerbacks in the Country Coming Out of High School
Jermaine Edmonson, No. 39, with his Michigan State teammates. (Getty)
Edmondson is originally from Canton, Ohio, where he starred at McKinley Senior High School, according to the Spartans website.
He was ranked as one of the top 50 cornerbacks in the country during his senior season by ESPN and Scouts.com.
5. Green Is Set to Play for the U.S. Olympic Team After Losing in the NBA Finals With the Warriors
Jermaine Edmondson of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates a 42-41 win against the Baylor Bears during the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic at AT&T Stadium on January 1, 2015 in Arlington, Texas. (Getty)
Draymond Green is set to play for the U.S. Olympic basketball team in August. He and the Golden State Warriors lost a seven-game NBA Finals series against the Cleveland Cavaliers last month.
The Golden State Warriors said they are aware of Green’s arrest and are collecting information before commenting further.
U.S. Basketball managing director Jerry Colangelo told ESPN, “We are still awaiting details. No comment at this time.”
