Nickey Van Exel, the 20-year-old son of former NBA great Nick Van Exel, is being held on $1 million bond after being charged with one count of capital murder in Dallas, according to police.
Van Exel is being held on the felony count of murdering Bradley Bassey Eyo, described by police as a close friend.
Paul Johnson, the younger Van Exel's attorney, told The Associated Press that Van Exel and Eyo were allegedly playing with a shotgun at a home in Garland, Texas, a suburb of Dallas, when the gun accidentally fired. Johnson further explained that Van Exel "panicked" and moved the body, dumping it less than a mile away in nearby Lake Ray Hubbard.
Nickey Van Exel turned himself into Dallas police on Wednesday and has admitted to the murder, police said, although he insists it was an accident.
"It's a real sad situation," Johnson said. "Emotions are running high, and, obviously, we recognize that some very bad decisions were made on how he responded."
The senior Van Exel played 13 years in the NBA, appearing in 880 games and starting 670. He averaged 14.4 points and 6.6 assists per game in his career and was known as both a clutch shooter and 3-point specialist. He remains ranked No. 6 in NBA history in 3-point field goals made.
Nick Van Exel played for six different teams in the NBA, most notably the Los Angeles Lakers, as well as the Denver Nuggets, Dallas Mavericks, Golden State Warriors, Portland Trail Blazers and retired after a final season in 2005-06 with the San Antonio Spurs.
Nick Van Exel is in his first year as an assistant coach for the Atlanta Hawks, where he specializes in player development instruction.
No information has been released yet about a hearing date for the younger Van Exel.
