Los Angeles, CA – National Basketball Association (NBA) player Jaxson Hayes was arrested in the early hours of Wednesday morning after he fought with Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) officers who had responded to a domestic disturbance call from his home.
The incident occurred at about 3:14 a.m. on July 28 when officers responded to a 911 call from Hayes’ residence in the 22000-block of Mariano Street, KTLA reported.
Police encountered the 21-year old, six-foot, 11-inch, 220-pound New Orleans Pelicans center in his front yard.
Officers told Hayes that he needed to stay outside while they talked to the victim inside the residence, KTLA reported.
Hayes ignored officers’ commands, told them to stay out of the house, and repeatedly tried to enter the home.
Officer called for backup and then attempted to detain Hayes, KTLA reported.
But when they tried to put his hands behind his back to handcuff him, he broke free and slammed one of the officers up against a wall.
Police said it took “two deployments of the Taser, as well as bodyweight and physical force” to subdue Hayes, ESPN reported.
Hayes continued to resist arrest and the altercation went on for more than two-and-a-half minutes before officers were able to handcuff him.
One officer was injured in the chaos, KTLA reported.
He was transported to the hospital for treatment and later released.
Hayes was also taken to the hospital for treatment before he was booked for resisting arrest, KTLA reported.
He was released two hours later after posting $25,000 bail, ESPN reported.
Hayes is scheduled to make his first court appearance on Jan. 24, 2022.
The woman at the home who was the victim associated with the initial 911 call refused to cooperate with the police investigation into the domestic dispute call, ESPN reported.
LAPD said the department will investigate the use of force during the incident because of “the possibility of force being applied to Hayes’ neck during the use of force.”
Police officials said the officers were wearing bodycams during the incident but no video has been released so far, KTLA reported.
The New Orleans Pelicans released a statement after Hayes’ arrest, ESPN reported.
“We have been made aware of the incident involving Jaxson Hayes,” the team said. “We are working in conjunction with the NBA and Jaxson’s representatives to gather more information and will have no further comment at this time.”
Hayes has made $15 million in his three-year NBA career, according to ESPN.
He went to the Atlanta Hawks as the eighth pick in the first round of the 2019 draft, and was traded to New Orleans on July 7, 2019.
Hayes played one year of college basketball at the University of Texas. He averaged 10 points a game in 2018-19 for Texas.