Hawks' Sefolosha testifies NYPD officer kicked him in leg

NEW YORK - A professional basketball player has described how he was kicked in the leg and taken to the ground after a testy exchange with a New York City police officer.

The Atlanta Hawks' Thabo Sefolosha testified in his own defense Wednesday in Manhattan Criminal Court.

The 31-year-old defensive specialist has pleaded not guilty to misdemeanor obstructing government administration, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest charges.

The case stems from an April 8 struggle outside a trendy Manhattan nightclub following the stabbing of fellow NBA player Chris Copeland.

It was then that police say Sefolosha and others ignored repeated instructions to move off the block.

But Sefolosha testified he was moving when a confrontational officer yelled profanities at him. He says one kicked and injured his leg in a subsequent struggle.