lefty
03-31-2011, 10:58 AM
Fan attacks Dominique Wilkins after game
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Hall of Famer and Atlanta Hawks (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=atl) television analyst Dominique Wilkins (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/3532/dominique-wilkins) was attacked by a fan --reportedly, a former pro and college basketball referee -- after the team's victory Wednesday night over the Orlando Magic (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=orl), the team said.
http://a.espncdn.com/photo/2011/0330/nba_g_wilkins01_65.jpg
Wilkins
Wilkins, a vice president with the team, had just finished working Atlanta's 85-82 victory Wednesday night from his customary spot on press row when the alleged incident occurred at Philips Arena. The fan was "promptly arrested and taken into custody by the Atlanta police department," team spokesman Arthur Triche said. Wilkins was not injured.
Rashan S. Michel, 36, was arrested and charged with simple battery, according to Atlanta police. He was released from jail early Thursday morning on $1,000 bond, according to the Fulton County Sheriff's office.
Police said Michel hit Wilkins in the chest and also struck a security guard.
Michel previously worked as an NBA and college basketball referee and owned his own clothing company, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported.
Michel officiated NBA games between 1997 and 2001, before starting his own clothing company, according to the report. He told police he was owed money for suits purchased several years ago.
In a radio interview with the "Frank and Wanda Morning Show" on WVEE-FM, Michel claimed Wilkins hit him first, the show's co-host, Frank Ski, told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
"He said he was approaching Dominique because Dominique owed him about $13,000 and wasn't paying for the suits, but the security guard grabbed him and after that Dominique punched him first, and he responded," Ski said, according to the report.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
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ESPN.com news services
Hall of Famer and Atlanta Hawks (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=atl) television analyst Dominique Wilkins (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/3532/dominique-wilkins) was attacked by a fan --reportedly, a former pro and college basketball referee -- after the team's victory Wednesday night over the Orlando Magic (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=orl), the team said.
http://a.espncdn.com/photo/2011/0330/nba_g_wilkins01_65.jpg
Wilkins
Wilkins, a vice president with the team, had just finished working Atlanta's 85-82 victory Wednesday night from his customary spot on press row when the alleged incident occurred at Philips Arena. The fan was "promptly arrested and taken into custody by the Atlanta police department," team spokesman Arthur Triche said. Wilkins was not injured.
Rashan S. Michel, 36, was arrested and charged with simple battery, according to Atlanta police. He was released from jail early Thursday morning on $1,000 bond, according to the Fulton County Sheriff's office.
Police said Michel hit Wilkins in the chest and also struck a security guard.
Michel previously worked as an NBA and college basketball referee and owned his own clothing company, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported.
Michel officiated NBA games between 1997 and 2001, before starting his own clothing company, according to the report. He told police he was owed money for suits purchased several years ago.
In a radio interview with the "Frank and Wanda Morning Show" on WVEE-FM, Michel claimed Wilkins hit him first, the show's co-host, Frank Ski, told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
"He said he was approaching Dominique because Dominique owed him about $13,000 and wasn't paying for the suits, but the security guard grabbed him and after that Dominique punched him first, and he responded," Ski said, according to the report.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.