Shock stands with Lacy after alleged assault
BY MIKE BROWN World Sports Writer
Sunday, November 18, 2012
11/18/12 at 7:28 AM
Tulsa Shock guard Jennifer Lacy is a person of "high character (and) integrity, very loyal, and a team player," team president Steve Swetoha said.
Lacy didn't allow an alleged altercation with a former teammate to prevent her from flying into Tulsa to participate in team-sponsored events on Thursday.
But Swetoha said he excused the California native from working Saturday's fantasy camp at the BOK Center because she wanted to spend time with her family.
"We got together with Jen and her agent. She decided that's what she wanted to do. We want to support her 150 percent, so it was an easy decision to make," Swetoha said.
On Friday, a judge in Atlanta set bond at $100,000 for ex-WNBA star and Olympic gold medalist Chamique Holdsclaw, who was jailed on assault and weapons charges.
Holdsclaw is accused of firing a shot into a car belonging to the 29-year-old Lacy and using a bat to smash in the car's windows.
Atlanta police said the incident happened Tuesday, one day before Lacy flew to Tulsa. Lacy identified the 35-year-old Holdsclaw to police as an ex-girlfriend. They were teammates with the Atlanta Dream in 2009.
Lacy, who played college basketball at Pepperdine University in California, just completed her seventh WNBA season and third with the Shock. She is one of six protected players on the roster and has two years remaining on her contract, Swetoha said.
More than that, she is valued as a person, he said.
"Our fans, players and this organization care for her very deeply, We just want to do everything we can to be with her in this process," Swetoha said.
The 6-foot-3 Lacy's 2012 season was arguably her best in the league. Working with first-year Shock coach Gary Kloppenburg, she set career highs for points (222) and 3-point field goals (44), despite missing eight of the Shock's 34 games with a knee injury.
She also set career highs for scoring average (8.5) and 3-point shooting percentage (.404).
Original Print Headline: Shock stands with Lacy after alleged assault
Mike Brown 918-581-8390
mike.brown@tulsaworld.com
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