Jeffery Taylor Arrested: Latest Details, Mugshot and Reaction
Updates from Friday, Sept. 26
Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today provides a statement from NBPA executive director Michele Roberts:
Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer reported on Taylor's status with the Hornets following his arrest on Thursday:
InsideHoops.com provided the organization's statement announcing the decision:
"'We have informed Jeffery Taylor that effective immediately he will not be participating in any team-related activities while the NBA is investigating his conduct in this matter. As an organization, we understand and appreciate the seriousness of this matter, and will assist the NBA and law enforcement in any way we can until this comes to an acceptable resolution. We have spoken with Jeffery and his representatives and they fully understand our position.'
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Original Text
Charlotte Hornets forward Jeff Taylor was arrested Thursday morning in East Lansing, Michigan, after allegedly committing domestic assault.
Taylor, 25, was arrested when police responded to a domestic disturbance call at a Marriott hotel around 1 a.m. ET, per WILX 10 NBC. He was booked on charges of domestic assault, simple assault and malicious destruction of property. Bail was set at $5,000, though it is unclear whether Taylor is still incarcerated at this time.
The former Vanderbilt star was the then-Bobcats' second-round selection in 2012. He has career averages of 6.6 points and 2.0 rebounds, shooting 41.2 percent from the field in 103 appearances. Taylor was limited to 23 games last season after suffering a torn Achilles tendon.
"The Charlotte Hornets were made aware of the incident involving Jeffery Taylor early this evening," the Hornets said in a statement. "The organization is in the process of gathering more information and doing our due diligence. This is a matter that we take very seriously."
Domestic violence awareness has reached an apex in sports culture over the last few weeks and months, particularly due to the NFL's handling of former Ravens running back Ray Rice. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell received criticism first for a light two-game suspension and then for a seeming lack of transparency when further evidence arose, which led to an indefinite ban for Rice.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver, citing increased awareness caused by the NFL situation, said the league plans on reviewing its current domestic violence policy.
"We learn from other league's experiences. We're studying everything that's been happening in the NFL," Silver told reporters when questioned at a Monday press conference. "We're working with our players' association [and new executive director Michele Roberts]. We've been talking for several weeks, and we're going to take a fresh look at everything we do."
Silver said the NBA is taking steps to ensure "mistakes don't happen again." The NBA, NHL and MLB do not currently have policies specifically related to domestic violence. Under the NBA's collective bargaining agreement, felonies are under the same umbrella and come with a minimum 10-game suspension.
“When a player is convicted of (including a plea of guilty, no contest, or nolo contendere) a violent felony, he shall immediately be suspended by the NBA for a minimum of ten games,” the league's collective bargaining agreement reads, per the New York Daily News.
Taylor is in the last year of his rookie contract, which calls for a guaranteed $915,243, per Sham Sports. Neither the Hornets nor Taylor has released a statement.
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