Kings guard Darren Collison suspended eight games after arrest

Sacramento Kings guard Darren Collison has been suspended eight games after a domestic violence incident.

The NBA suspended Sacramento Kings guard Darren Collison without pay for the first eight games of the 2016–17 season after he pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor domestic battery charge, the league announced.

The league said it consulted with a panel of experts in the field of domestic violence and also "took into account the conduct and its result, the player’s acceptance of responsibility, his cooperation with both law enforcement and the NBA, and his voluntary participation in counseling in addition to the court-mandated program."

Collison pleaded guilty to one count of misdemeanor violation of domestic battery involving his wife from an incident in May. Collison faces three years of informal probation, must serve 20 days in jail, serve a 52-week batterers’ program and perform 20 hours of community service.

Collison’s suspension will start with Sacramento's first regular-season game against the Phoenix Suns on Oct. 26.

The 29-year-old will be entering his third season with the Kings. He averaged 14 points, 4.3 assists and 2.3 rebounds in 74 games last season.

– Scooby Axson