Son of Hawks assistant charged with murder

By Christian Boone

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The son of Hawks assistant coach and former NBA All-Star guard Nick Van Exel was arrested Wednesday and charged with murdering a close friend.

A Dallas police spokesman said Nickey Van Exel, 20, shot Bradley Bassey Eyo at a residence in the 6900 block of George Brown Drive in Garland, Tex. then dumped the body near Lake Ray Hubbard less than a mile way. Investigators quickly focused on Van Exel, who turned himself in to authorities on Wednesday, as a suspect, police said.

The younger Van Exel's attorney said his client and Eyo were playing with a shotgun Saturday when it accidentally fired, according to the Associated Press. Van Exel "panicked" and moved the body, the attorney said.

Van Exel is being held in lieu of $1 million bail.

In a statement, Hawks officials said their thoughts and prayers were with the Van Exel family. Nick Van Exel played for six teams over a 14-year NBA career. The flashy left-handed point guard, an All-Star with the Los Angeles Lakers in 1998, was known for his clutch shooting in late-game situations.