Basketball star Willie Reed of the LA Clippers arrested for domestic violence in Miami

NBA star Willie Reed, who recently signed with the Los Angeles Clippers, was arrested in Miami on a domestic violence charge of misdemeanour battery. The arrest appears to be the first under the NBA's new domestic violence policy.

Reed's wife, Jasmine Reed, told police the NBA player pulled her hair while she was holding their youngest child. She admitted to hitting him in the head with a glass candle to escape him following an altercation in the balcony of the couple's downtown Miami luxury apartment, the Miami Herald reported.

According to Jasmine, the two began arguing when she told her husband of two years that she wanted a divorce.

Willie told investigators that he never laid hands on his wife, but admitted to touching her hair as she got on the elevator at the Marquis Miami. His arrest report revealed he also admitted to grabbing his wife's purse and shirt.

Jasmine said her husband told her to go but said she had to leave everything he bought her behind. According to the police report, a tug-of-war ensued when he grabbed her purse and sent his wife to the ground. Jasmine said she was then dragged across the floor until the purse strap broke.

According to police, Jasmine "had red marks on her left wrist, right bicep, the right side of her chest and her back. She also had some swelling on her left foot".

Jasmine managed to get the purse and made it inside their apartment when Willie grabbed her shirt and teared it. She told police she was able to get to the lobby with her purse, left it with the concierge and went back to the apartment to get their two children.

According to the Miami Herald, she was heading for the elevator with her younger son when her husband grabbed by the hair to get her to put down their son. When she did, Willie snatched her left wrist and twisted her arm, forcing her to her knees.

Jasmine told police that when her husband leaned over her, she reached for a glass candle and hit him in the head. She then got in the elevator and called police from the lobby.

The 27-year-old former backup center for the Miami Heat was booked into jail at 3.06am ET (8.06am BST) on Sunday (6 August).

According to the Miami Herald, Willie was released from jail after posting $1,500 cash bond. According to the Washington Post, the case would be the first covered by new domestic violence policy that was a part of the collective bargaining agreement reached by the NBA and the National Basketball Players Association in December. The policy took effect in July.

Under the police, the NBA can investigate domestic violence incidents and punish players regardless of whether criminal charges have been settled. The NBA commissioner can slo place players on paid leave during an investigation.

Reed, who was undrafted after going pro in 2011, averaged 5.3 points, 4.7 rebounds and just over 14 minutes as a backup center for Miami. He reached a one-year, $1.5m contract last week with the team.