Green's attorney: Publicity may affect performance in Olympics

EAST LANSING - A judge on Thursday granted a request to hold Draymond Green's pre-trial conference next week, before he leaves for the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

Green, the NBA star, former MSU All-American and a member of the U.S. Men's Olympic Basketball Team, is accused of slapping former MSU football player Jermaine Edmondson early Sunday morning in East Lansing.

Green was charged on Monday with misdemeanor assault or assault and battery. He waived arraignment in 54B District Court. A pre-trial conference was originally set for Aug. 4.

►Related: Former MSU football player tells cops Draymond Green hit him

►Related: Jermaine Edmondson, Mark Meyers leave Michigan State football team

On Wednesday, however, Green's attorney requested that the conference be moved to July 21, noting that Green soon will be leaving the country to take part in the Olympics and that it will be difficult for Green to communicate with the court and his lawyer while he is out of the country.

►Related: Draymond Green makes first comments after arrest in East Lansing
►Related: Video shows arrest of Draymond Green, who is charged with assault

"Publicity surrounding the arrest may affect his performance in the games," it states.

Green's schedule for the Olympic basketball team includes training sessions and exhibition games from July 18 through Aug. 1. The Olympics begin in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Aug. 5, with basketball competition set for Aug. 6-21.

Edmondson, a fifth-year senior who played defensive back for the Spartans, has asked for and received a release to play for a different school in his last season, the athletic program announced  Wednesday night.

Contact Christopher Haxel at 517-377-1261 or chaxel@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @ChrisHaxel.