The Game charged with hitting off-duty officer

The rapper known as “The Game” has been charged with hitting an off-duty Los Angeles police officer during a basketball game.

The hip-hop artist, whose real name is Jayceon Terrell Taylor, was charged with one felony count of making criminal threats and one count of misdemeanour assault and battery.

He pleaded not guilty during a court appearance on Monday.

Prosecutors say Taylor and the officer played on opposite teams at a basketball game at Hollywood High School in March. After a foul call against Taylor, authorities say he approached the officer and threw a punch.

Taylor faces up to three years in prison if convicted. He is free on $50,000 (Dh183,647) bail and is due back in court July 30.