Travis Walton denies allegations, says he was never hired or fired by MSU

Former Michigan State basketball player and coach Travis Walton issued a denial Tuesday to allegations he both assaulted and raped two women in separate 2010 incidents as a graduate assistant with the Spartans. He added he was never hired or fired by the school.

"I was never hired or fired by Michigan State University," Walton said in a statement sent to Detroit radio station 97.1 The Ticket. "I have never been charged with sexual assault and, to my knowledge, the alleged sexual assault was never reported to Michigan State University or the police. My encounters with this woman were more than just a single occasion, and my actions with her were always consensual."

The alleged gang rape was referred to in a university letter obtained by ESPN's Outside the Lines, one seen by former athletic director Mark Hollis. No charges were ever filed.

Walton was accused of assault in the other case, in which he allegedly punched a woman in a bar. He later reached a plea deal with authorities by pleading guilty to littering. He maintains his innocence.

"I never physically assaulted a woman at an East Lansing establishment, as alleged," he said. "While conversing with her, and without notice or provocation, she threw a drink at me, and I subsequently left the establishment. Two written statements from independent, objective witnesses were given to the City Attorney, and support my innocence."

Walton played four years for the Spartans before working as an assistant coach in 2009-10, the campaign during which the alleged incidents occurred. Head coach Tom Izzo has come under fire for allowing Walton to be employed despite the allegations being known at the time. Izzo said Sunday he doesn't remember why Walton left the program, although he went to play basketball in Europe afterward.

Walton was placed on administrative leave last week from his job as assistant coach with the G League's Agua Caliente Clippers.