A former Ohio University basketball player will go on trial for assault this October.
Armon Bassett, 23, was charged with one count of assault after he allegedly punched a bouncer in the face May 1.
Bassett allegedly assaulted John Willis, a doorman at Courtside Pizza and Bar, 85 N. Court St., at about 11 p.m. Bassett then fled on foot to the Verizon Wireless parking lot across the street, according to a police report from the Athens Police Department.
Bassett pleaded not guilty to the charge at his arraignment hearing May 3.
Bassett appeared before Athens County Municipal Court Judge William Grim Friday. A public defender has been assigned to the case.
He is scheduled to appear in court Oct. 5 for a pre-trial. The date of his trial will be decided at a later date.
Assault is a first-degree misdemeanor. Bassett could spend a maximum of 180 days in jail and pay a maximum fine of $1,000 if convicted, according to the Ohio Revised Code.
Willis is suing Bassett in the Athens County Court of Common Pleas for $275,000 in damages. During the incident, Willis suffered a fractured nose, debilitating humiliation and stress, according to court documents. The case is still pending.
Bassett played one season with the Bobcats. He led the team in scoring with 17.1 points per game last season and led Ohio to the NCAA Tournament. He went undrafted in June's NBA Draft after he declared for it in May.
The New Orleans Hornets signed Bassett for their NBA Summer League team in July. Bassett averaged 2.3 points per game in three games with the Hornets.
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Marika Lee
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