Shannon Sharpe has leapt to the defense of Sacramento Kings star DeMar DeRozan after he shoved a fan to the floor and grabbed his phone in a shocking brawl.

The incident – which was caught on camera – occurred while DeRozan, a six-time NBA All-Star, dined at a California sushi restaurant.

In the footage, first obtained by TMZ Sports, DeRozan is seen standing over the man as he lays on the floor on his back.

The melee was allegedly sparked by the man shoving a bright phone light in DeRozan’s face while he was trying to eat at Yume Sushi.

And NFL legend Sharpe has criticized the way some sports fans approach athletes while they are out with family and friends. 

‘When you play a stupid game, you win stupid prizes,’ Sharpe said on his Nightcap show. ‘I’m a human being. You have to understand: they don’t know you like that. Approach them as if they don’t know you.’

DeMar DeRozan appeared to knock a fan to the floor during a melee in a Calabasas restaurant

DeRozan’s female companion then grabbed the man’s phone as the situation escalated

‘When you play a stupid game, you win stupid prizes,’ Sharpe said on his Nightcap show

Sharpe continued: ‘When did grown people start playing so much? I don’t remember grown folks playing when I was coming up. 

‘You come up in that man’s face – when he’s with his family – and you shove the phone in his face? I keep telling people: everybody don’t play how you play.’

The video initially shows restaurant security trying to pull the NBA star off the man, who is defending himself with his legs in the air. He eventually is able to get back to his feet, but only after his phone had been taken by a female who appeared to be dining with DeRozan. 

When the basketball player then lunges back towards him, the man can be heard shouting that he is a ‘big fan’, before adding: ‘You’re my hero.’

Police are currently investigating the incident, which is said to have occurred at around 10:30pm on Friday night. 

According to an eyewitness, the man initially thrust a phone with a bright light in DeRozan’s face, before it was knocked out of his hand. Glᴀss and cutlery were sent flying off tables in the sushi restaurant, and the man is believed to have sustained minor injuries from his fall. 

Further footage has also been released by the man in question, who claims he went to hospital in the back of an ambulance after the clash with the NBA player.

In a post on X, alongside his own camera footage from the clash, he wrote: ‘I just Get Attacked & Body Slapped By DeMar DeRozan : Don’t Meet Your Hero’s [sic] Kids.’

But Sharpe’s co-host – former NFL receiver Chad ‘Ochocinco’ Johnson – accused the man of chasing a ‘quick buck’.

DeRozan had to be held back as he lunged at the man for a second time amid the carnage

DeRozan plays for the Sacramento Kings but was previously with the Bulls, Spurs and Raptors

‘Because DeMar didn’t touch hard enough or do anything that bad where you have to be inside the ambulance,’ he said.

‘If you didn’t know me and I saw you out, (I’d say): “Mr Sharpe, I’ll probably never see you again. I just want to take this opportunity to say I’m a fan of yours, if you’ll take a picture, if you’ll sign…

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‘”If not I understand because it’s your personal time. If you say no, I’m still going to be a fan.”‘

The Sacramento Kings did not immediately respond to a request for comment from DailyMail.com.

DeRozan is currently enjoying his first season with the Kings after being traded by the Chicago Bulls last year.

He has played 77 times so far for Sacramento, averaging 22.2 points per game and shooting .328 from three-point range. 

Before heading to the Kings, DeRozan spent 10 seasons with the Toronto Raptors, four with the San Antonio Spurs, and four with the Bulls.