National Basketball Association

Man arrested after dispute with Rondo

Published Nov. 21, 2011 12:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

A man accused of taking a swing at Boston Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo inside a Massachusetts nightclub has been released on personal recognizance.

Eric Valarezo, of Haverhill (HAY'-vruhl), said he's innocent but had no further comment after leaving a Lowell court on Monday following arraignment on a misdemeanor disorderly conduct charge. The case was continued after a prosecutor asked for more time to investigate.

Authorities say the 31-year-old Valarezo was arrested just before 2 a.m. Saturday at Brian's Ivy Hall in Lowell. No one was hurt.

Club manager Kevin Hayhurst says Rondo and several others, including bodyguards and fellow NBA players, were part of a crowd leaving just before closing time and didn't seem to be acting improperly.

Valarezo says Rondo pushed him and that he reacted in self-defense.