HOUSTON, July 31 (Xinhua) -- Houston Rockets forward Terrence Jones pleaded not guilty on Wednesday to a charge of harassment following an incident in which police said he shouted at a homeless man and stomped on his leg, local media reported.
Jones, 21, was arrested at 2:07 a.m. local time Wednesday and charged with a Class B misdemeanor. He was released on his own recognizance at 6:02 a.m. A trial date is tentatively scheduled for September 6, the website of the Houston Chronicle said.
Police observed Jones walk past two men sleeping in a doorway in his hometown Portland, Oregon shortly after 2 a.m., shout "wake up" and stomp on one of the men's legs. Jones was with a group of about eight people when he was stopped and taken into custody about a half a block from the incident, reports said.
The victim, Daniel John Kellerher, 46, did not require medical attention. He is uninjured and is not pressing charges, according to reports.
Rockets spokesperson Tracey Hughes said the organization is aware of the reports but has no comment.
Jones played in 19 games as a rookie last season, averaging 5.5 points and 3.4 rebounds. He is expected to compete for the starting power forward spot after averaging 15.8 points with the Rockets' summer league team.