Stephen Jackson - reuters

indianapolis (ap)

NBA player Stephen Jackson pleaded guilty to a felony count of criminal recklessness yesterday for firing a gun outside a strip club and was ordered to pay a US$5,000 fine and perform 100 hours of community service.

Misdemeanour counts of battery and disorderly conduct were dismissed as part of the agreement with prosecutors, and a judge added a year of probation to Jackson's sentence.

Jackson, whom the Indiana Pacers traded to the Golden State Warriors in January, said after the brief court appearance that he would have done the community service anyway.

"Community service has always been a part of my life," he said.

But prosecutors intend the work to be punishment, which is why they chose the community centre Christamore House for Jackson.

"I'm not going to put him down in the gym playing basketball," Christamore's director Olgen Williams said. "He may be in the gym, but he'll be in there sweeping."

Jackson was charged in connection with the October 6 fracas outside Indianapolis' Club Rio. He told police he fired shots in the air from his 9mm pistol to try to break up a fight.

In February, Deon Willford, who hit Jackson with a car during the incident, was convicted of felony battery and sentenced to two years in prison, two years on probation and 100 hours community service.

Hit with car

Willford hit Jackson with his car after the fight started. He claimed self defence at his trial, testifying that Jackson was walking toward his car and pointing a gun at him.

But other witnesses said Jackson was walking away from Willford's car and had no weapon out when he was hit.

Jackson chipped some teeth that night and underwent plastic surgery on his lip.

The fight started after Willford's cousin got into an argument with a group of people who accompanied Jackson to the club.

That group included current Indiana Pacers Jamaal Tinsley and Marquis Daniels, who were not charged.

At the time, Jackson was on probation in Michigan after pleading no contest to misdemeanour assault and battery charges for his role in the 2004 brawl between Pacers players and Detroit Pistons fans.

A Michigan judge had ruled that the Indiana charges constituted a violation of Jackson's probation. But Jackson's attorney, Jim Voyles, said the case was resolved last week and Jackson will serve 10 days of community service.