'Didn't do this': NBL player's DV charges withdrawn
The NBL player, who is also known as Anyiarbany Makoi, had pleaded not guilty to one count of common assault and two counts of intentionally choking a person with recklessness.
He was due to fight the domestic violence charges in a contested hearing at Blacktown Local Court on Thursday, but the charges were dismissed after the complainant failed to show for a second time.
Makoi offered to agree to an apprehended violence order without admission of guilt, which was accepted by the prosecutor.
The order includes standard conditions that the basketball player not assault, threaten, or stalk the woman or anyone with whom she is in a relationship.
The charges were subsequently dismissed.
"Jackson's had his date in court," his lawyer Peter Agoth said.
"He was in the position to have everything dismissed including the AVO but he made a peace offering."
Mr Agoth said the charges had been a "huge impediment" to the basketballer's life and he was relieved with the outcome.
"He did stick to what he said from the start, which is 'I didn't do this'," the lawyer said.
"He was very happy it's finally behind him and he can finally move on with his life."
The charges stemmed from an incident that was alleged to have occurred on November 11, 2023 in western Sydney while the basketballer was contracted to the Sydney Kings.
The Oxley Park resident was stood down by the Cairns Taipans after the accusations came to light and his contract has since expired.
He is not on the team roster for the upcoming season, but is understood to have a number of opportunities on the horizon.
Makoi played for South Sudan at the Paris Olympics and has averaged 4.1 points, 2.6 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 11 NBL games last season.
He received his first big break when he signed with the Kings as a development player in 2022.
Makoi played 15 games in the 2022-23 NBL season for the Kings during the club's championship-winning campaign, but he ruptured the ACL in his right knee before the finals.
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