Man allegedly hits Rajon Rondo at Lowell club

LOWELL, Mass. -- Rajon Rondo and several other NBA players, including Nate Robinson, were at Brian's Ivy Hall nightclub in Lowell Friday night when a man allegedly sucker-punched Rondo.

The suspect, Eric Valarezo, appeared in Lowell District Court on Monday. The 31-year-old proclaimed his innocence, but prosecutors said they may be filing additional charges.

“Under legal advice, I cannot comment on anything right now. Maybe after,” said Valarezo. “I can’t comment. I am innocent on all of the charges. That’s all I can say.”

Valarezo was arrested after the incident at the nightclub early Saturday morning. He was in court Monday to answer to disorderly conduct charges.

Rondo was making a promotional appearance at the club on Friday night.

“They sat up on the stage in the VIP section. Rondo was kind of shy, doing his own thing,” said Kevin Hayhurst, the club’s owner.

Just as the club was closing, police said Valarezo tried to punch the point guard in the face.

A woman, whose daughter was at the club, said Rondo wasn’t overly friendly to fans at the event.

“They tried to talk to him, he wouldn’t talk to them, he was really rude to people. He just -- he had people standing in front of them so they couldn’t even see him, never mind talk to him. He was really rude,” said Stacy Ryan, whose daughter was at the club.

Other club goers described Rondo as quiet that night.

The Celtics had no comment on the incident. They said because of the NBA lockout they have no contact with players.

Valarezo is out on bail and is due back in court in January.

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