Indiana Pacers v New York Knicks

George was recently called out by a judge for being a deadbeat dad, and it appears that he has a change of heart concerning his participation in his child’s life. George and the child’s mother Daniela Rajic had a court date today and began making steps towards custody arrangements. Hit the jump for details.

Via New York Daily News:

Basketball star Paul George and the mother of his baby girl made peace Thursday in a Manhattan courtroom after previously battling over paternity, custody and child support issues.

George, 24, said, “I’m extremely excited” at the prospect of holding 5-month-old Olivia for the first time Thursday afternoon.

“I am expecting to take full responsibility and to own up to being the dad,” the Indiana Pacers small forward said after the hearing.

Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Matthew Cooper said he was delighted that George and Olivia’s mother, Daniela Rajic, are close to finalizing a deal on custody and support issues.

George has agreed to take a paternity test but his new lawyer said he fully expects the test will prove that Olivia is his child.

The negotiations improved after Cooper last month slammed the scorched earth tactics of George’s earlier team of lawyers who tried to get the case moved to Florida and then the federal courts. George’s new team includes veteran divorce attorney Harriet Cohen and C. Anthony Mulrain of Atlanta.

Cooper said he was heartened to see Olivia’s parents sitting together on a bench in the courtroom before the proceeding started.There was the body language of two people who understood that they will be tied together for a real long long time. They will both be participating in their daughter’s life,” he said.

Actually, the two barely spoke.

George, decked out in a black suit, addressed Rajic with a breezy “Hey, what’s up” when he came into the courtroom. Rajic, who was sleek in a body-hugging gray pencil dress, chatted briefly, barely smiled and sat with her legs crossed away from him. They were a mere six inches apart.

Later, when Cohen tried repeatedly to get them to pose together for photographers outside the courthouse, Rajic quietly but firmly insisted, “I’d rather not.” And she left independently with her lawyer, Raoul Felder.

George acknowledged that his relationship with Rajic, an ex-stripper, was “awkward” but predicted it would improve.

He said it was “very unfortunate the way things got out of hand” and he’s happy that the matters will be resolved shortly.

Click above gallery for pictures

Tavia HArtleyIFWT