Ex-NBA guard's son charged in death

GARLAND, Texas, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- The son of a former NBA player is accused of killing a friend with a shotgun blast in Garland, Texas, and dumping his body in a park, police said.

Nickey Van Exel, 21, was charged with capital murder in the shooting of Bradley Bassey Eyo early Sunday in Van Exel's home, The Dallas Morning News reported.

Van Exel is the son of former guard Nick Van Exel, who played for 14 years in the NBA for the San Antonio Spurs, Portland Trail Blazers, Golden State Warriors, Dallas Mavericks, Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Lakers. The senior Van Exel is an assistant coach with the Atlanta Hawks.

Police alleged that Nickey Van Exel shot Eyo, 23, then wrapped the body in plastic and dumped it about a half-mile away in a park on Lake Ray Hubbard's western shore.

Nickey Van Exel said the two men were just playing around and he didn't think the shotgun was loaded.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution said after Van Exel dumped his friend's body he returned home and cleaned the blood from his bedroom and from the sport utility vehicle in which he allegedly transported the body.

He was released on $25,000 bond, the report said.