Cairns Taipans player Jackson Makoi denies assaulting and choking

Taipans guard Jackson Makoi has denied assaulting and choking a woman in a domestic violence incident and will contest the allegations in court.

Taipans guard Jackson Makoi has denied assaulting and choking a woman in a domestic violence incident and will contest the allegations in court.

The 24-year-old was arrested at the team hotel on Saturday and has since been stood down by the Taipans.

Makoi pleaded not guilty to one count of common assault and one count of choking without consent at Blacktown Local Court in Sydney on Wednesday, according to ESPN.

The charges stem from an incident alleged to have occurred on November 11, 2023 in western Sydney while the guard was contracted to the Sydney Kings.

Jackson Makoi of the Taipans in action during the round 10 NBL match between Cairns Taipans and Sydney Kings at Cairns Convention Centre, on November 29, 2024, in Cairns, Australia. (Photo by Emily Barker/Getty Images)

The Oxley Park resident, who is in court under the name Anyiarbany Makoi, will fight these accusations at a hearing on April 1.

On Monday, the Taipans announced they had stood down the 24-year-old pending further court proceedings.

“The club is taking these allegations very seriously and will provide no comment while the investigation is ongoing,” the team said in a statement.

More to come...

Originally published as Cairns Taipans player Jackson Makoi denies assaulting and choking