The Hawks said guard Dennis Schroder will face future disciplinary action from the team following his arrest last month on a misdemeanor battery charge.
In a statement released by the team on Monday, general manager Travis Schlenk said the team will let the legal process play out in Schroder’s case before making a final decision on discipline. Schlenk said the team’s preliminary investigation determined that Schroder was involved in a “physical altercation” before his arrest in DeKalb County on Sept. 29th.
Schroder, 24, declined to comment on the incident in the days following his arrest.
"I think we are all human beings," Schroder said at the time. "Everybody makes mistakes. I try to learn from it and keep earning my teammate's trust."
Schroder and three other people were arrested after Brookhaven police responded to a call about a fight in a shopping center parking lot on Buford Highway. Police said that a video recording of the incident showed Schroder “initiate contact” with the victim and that all four arrested individuals later struck the victim with their hands and feet.
Schroder’s arrest came days after Schlenk and coach Mike Budenholzer praised Schroder for his increased maturity following past off-court incidents.
Budenholzer sat Schroder for a handful of games during the 2015-16 season after the two clashed. Last season the Hawks suspended Schroder for a game without pay after he reported back late from the All-Star break, and Schroder did not start the next game he played after he was late for a team bus.
Schlenk’s Monday statement, issued by the team, read:
“There is an ongoing investigation into the details of the incident involving Dennis Schroder that occurred on Sept. 29th. During this process, we plan to support Dennis as we would any of our players working through a situation.
“However, from our preliminary findings, we are aware that Dennis was involved in a physical altercation. That behavior is unacceptable, will not be tolerated by the Hawks organization, and will result in discipline for Dennis at the appropriate time once the matter has been more fully developed through the law enforcement process and otherwise.
“Dennis has accepted responsibility for his actions. He looks forward to learning from this incident and focusing on the season.”
The Hawks open the regular season at the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday.
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