PHOENIX, Jan. 19 -- Jason Kidd, arrested Thursday night on a domestic violence charge brought by his wife, issued a public apology Friday and then was held out of the lineup when the Phoenix Suns took on the Golden State Warriors.
The All-Star guard, considered one of the NBA's solid citizens, read a brief statement to media members following Friday morning's shootaround, but declined to take questions.
"There was an incident that took place last night involving my wife," Kidd said. "I love my wife, I love my family. This is a situation that is embarrassing to me, my family and friends and also to the Phoenix Suns. I apologize for that and that's pretty much all I can say."
Suns owner and chairman Jerry Colangelo accompanied Kidd at the media briefing.
"He's gone on the record and admitted that something took place," Colangelo said. "He's admitted he has some problems that he needs to work through with his wife. He loves his wife and his family and is embarrassed by the whole situation.
"Jason will not play tonight due to the circumstances at hand. The focus should be on personal family issues, therefore he will not play tonight."
Kidd admitted hitting his wife and police arrested him without incident on Thursday night. He was taken to the Paradise Valley police station, where he was fingerprinted, photographed and put in a cell, a police report said.
According to Lt. RonWarner, the public information officer for the Paradise Valley Police Department, Kidd and his wife, Joumana, had been arguing all day before the situation became physical.
Joumana Kidd called 911 and police arrived at the couple's home, noting a swelling on her lip and a cut inside her mouth, Warner said. She told police her husband struck her during a dispute about feeding their 2-year-old son.
Kidd was released on his own recognizance and charged with domestic violence assault, a Class 3 misdemeanor that carries a maximum sentence of six months in jail.
The release order signed by Paradise Valley Magistrate Tabor barred Kidd from having any contact with his wife. Any meeting between the two must be under the observation of a third party.
Kidd is scheduled to be arraigned next week.
One of the game's complete players, Kidd, 27, leads the NBA in assists with 9.9 per game and in triple-doubles with four. He also is averaging 16.6 points and 6.3 rebounds in 35 games.
The three-time All-Star was selected second overall by Dallas in the 1994 draft and shared Rookie of the Year honors with Grant Hill. Midway through his third season, he was traded to Phoenix in a six-player deal.
When the Suns signed guard Penny Hardaway in the summer of 1999, they dubbed the pairing of Kidd and Hardaway "Backcourt 2000." However, both have been charged in domestic disputes this season.
In December, Hardaway, who is sidelined for the season with recurring knee problems, was charged with threatening the mother of his daughter with a gun in Hardaway's Paradise Valley home. The charges later were dropped.
Kidd is known for his charitable work, establishing the Jason Kidd Foundation, an organization that benefits Phoenix Children's Hospital and the Phoenix Boys and Girls Club among others.
