Charlotte Hornets rookie P.J. Hairston was involved in a minor altercation with a prep senior in a pickup game in Durham, North Carolina, Sunday.
Hairston punched Northern Durham High sr. forward Kentrell Barkley after the latter threw a punch first, Hairston's agent Juan Morrow said.
— Marc J. Spears (@SpearsNBAYahoo) July 7, 2014
Hairston had multiple issues during his years at North Carolina, including a misdemeanor for marijuana possession, driving without a license, speeding and the alleged receipt of impermissible benefits. This led to the UNC declining to re-instate him for the 2013-14 season.
Hairston decided to join the NBA D-League, and became the first D-Leaguer to be taken in the first round according to The Score. Hairston played for the Texas Legends last season.
"Kentrell's team had beaten P.J. a few times and they were winning again," said Vince Phillips, a friend of Barkley's who played at Southern Durham High. "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,” Phillips told ESPN.