WNBA player Deanna Jackson was arrested on an assault charge after slugging an opposing player in a parking lot following a game, and will not be allowed to leave Israel until after the Chicago Sky’s preseason opener.
Jackson, a 6-foot-2 forward who averaged 6 points a game last season for the Sky, spent this winter playing for Anda Ramat Hasharon of the Israeli league.
She was arrested Wednesday night after attacking Ina Gourevitch, an Elitzur Ramle guard, following the league championship game won 81-68 by Ramle. In the closing minutes of the game, Jackson and Gourevitch got into a skirmish and shouted insults at each other.
Police said the clash spilled into the parking lot, where Jackson sought out Gourevitch and punched her, breaking her nose.
Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said the 27-year-old Jackson was arrested and her passport was confiscated. She had been slated to leave Israel the following morning to join the Sky, whose first preseason game is Wednesday at home against Phoenix.
The Chicago Sky announced Friday that Jackson has been suspended indefinitely.