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A rising college basketball coaching star accused of throwing a punch that killed a New York City tourist who had apparently mistaken him for an Uber driver pleaded not guilty on Thursday to an assault charge.
Wake Forest University assistant coach Jamill Jones attacked digital marketing guru Sandor Szabo around 01:15 last Sunday in Queens, causing him to fall and smash his head on the sidewalk, police said.
Szabo, visiting from Boca Raton, Florida, banged on the window of Jones' SUV while looking for his ride after his stepsister's wedding, police said.
A person familiar with the investigation told The Associated Press that Szabo may have been drunkenly knocking on car windows before Jones allegedly confronted him. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the person was not allowed to speak publicly.
The coach got out, followed Szabo to the sidewalk, clocked him and sped off, police said. Szabo never regained consciousness and was taken off life support on Tuesday.
Jones, 35, of Kernersville, North Carolina, turned himself in to police on Thursday, accompanied by a lawyer. He was arraigned on Thursday night on a misdemeanour assault charge and released on his own recognisance after entering his plea. The coach's next court appearance is scheduled for October 2, the Queens District Attorney's office said.
Jones was with his family after the court session, his attorney, Alain Massena, told the AP.
"This was a tragic accident, and Mr Jones and his family send their deepest condolences and their thoughts and prayers to the Szabo family," Massena said.
In a statement, Wake Forest said the school would comment further once it gathered more information.
Jones, a Philadelphia native, joined the Demon Deacons staff in May 2017 after coaching at Central Florida, Virginia Commonwealth and Florida Gulf Coast and playing at Arkansas Tech and North Platte Community College in Nebraska.
Wake Forest head coach Danny Manning said at the time that Jones was a "well-respected bright mind" in the coaching world and brought "new blood" and "new perspectives" to Wake Forest.
Szabo, also 35, was "super outgoing, friendly, and an incredibly smart businessman", said his company, at What If Media Group, based in Fort Lee, New Jersey.
"He was always upbeat, positive, kind and caring," the company said in a Facebook post. "He was fun to be with, interesting, and always interested. He was a really good person."
Szabo, who lived in Boca Raton with his brother, always had a bright smile and shared a love of fishing, cooking and family, the company said.
"His beautiful spirit and his love of life will remain with us," the company said. "We are going to miss him dearly."
