Philadelphia's Morris twins charged in Phoenix assault

PHOENIX - A Maricopa County grand jury has indicted the Phoenix Suns' Marcus and Markieff Morris on felony aggravated assault charges for allegedly beating a man outside a city recreation center in January.

The twins from Philadelphia played at Prep Charter and Apex Academy in Pennsauken.

According to a Phoenix police report, Erik Hood said five people including the Morris brothers repeatedly punched and kicked him. Police said Hood, 36, alleged that he was assaulted for sending an inappropriate text message to the Morris brothers' mother.

The names of the other three men were redacted in court documents released Tuesday.

The 6-foot-9 twins became teammates in 2013 when Marcus was traded to the Suns. Their first court appearance is set for May 7.

"We have been advised by our attorneys not to discuss this case or make any statements about it. We are sorry for the distraction this has caused to our fans and the Suns," Marcus and Markieff Morris said Tuesday in a statement released through the team.

President of basketball operations Lon Babby said the Suns were "disappointed to learn that Marcus and Markieff Morris have been charged. This is a serious matter and we will treat it as such."

According to the police report, Hood was leaving a high school basketball game on Jan. 24 when he was approached by a friend of the brothers. Hood told police the man was speaking to him when he was punched in the back of the head. He said that the men, including the Morris twins, kicked and hit him repeatedly. All five left in a Rolls-Royce Phantom.

Hood was treated at a hospital for a broken nose, abrasions and a large lump on his head.

In a Feb. 10 interview with police, both brothers denied involvement in the incident. But authorities said a witness identified the twins as participants in the attack.

According to Hood's account, he formed a strong bond with the 25-year-old brothers when they were in high school.

Marcus Morris, a 6-foot-9 power forward, averaged 10.4 points and 4.8 rebounds per game this season. Markieff, a 6-10 power forward, averaged 15.3 points and 6.2 rebounds.