NBL spectator banned for life after on-court brawl

The NBL banned one spectator for life and another for 10 years for his involvement in an on-court brawl with Adelaide 36ers players.

Tuesday’s announcement marked a long-awaited resolution to the unpleasant scenes that unfolded in the fourth quarter of Adelaide’s defeat to Melbourne United at John Cain Arena two Sundays ago.

Two fans on the field reignited tensions shortly after an on-field brawl between players, becoming physically entangled with Sixers imports Montrezl Harrell and Kendric Davis.

The NBL’s one-man tribunal suspended Harrell and Davis for three and two games respectively due to their roles in the incident.

Former NBA Sixth Man of the Year Harrell also received a $3,685 fine following Monday’s hearing.

The Sixers accepted the sanctions despite Harrell’s social media post in which he appeared to question the validity of the penalty.

Davis, an African-American, claimed that spectators had hurled racist insults at him before the fight, a claim confirmed by two Adelaide staff.

However, the NBL tribunal was unable to find microphone evidence that would conclusively support this allegation.

The tribunal heard the testimony of the fan, who was ultimately banned from performing for 10 years.

The spectator has been attending Melbourne United matches for a long time, which AAP says was taken into account in order to spare him a lifetime ban.

The second fan is believed to have attended his first NBL match. Both were ejected on match day.

NBL chief executive David Stevenson hoped the league had drawn a line in the sand with its penalties.

“The NBL is and always will be a family-friendly sport and we will not tolerate any behavior that is contrary to this,” NBL chief executive David Stevenson said.

“We hope this sends a clear message that it is a privilege to sit courtside during NBL games. One of the greatest things in basketball is being close to talented players, and we will always strive to protect and preserve that experience.

“We commend the quick action of club officials who intervened to attempt to defuse the situation between Adelaide players and fans.”

Davis will play his first match against the Perth Wildcats on December 8, while Harrell will return to the court against the New Zealand Breakers on December 14.

“Both Kendric and Montrezl have accepted responsibility for their roles in these incidents,” the 36ers said.

But on Monday evening, Harrell took to social media to question whether United players should be punished for their role in the initial fracas on the pitch.

He also appeared to dispute two striking allegations that helped cover his $3,100 fine.

“No one else is involved in this situation, huh @NBL, just me and KD, lol, no players from the other team, just the coach who came off the bench, lol! Yes, I am a good person, smh,” he wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

“Lmao and please stop this clenched fist mess because if I punched one of them I’m sure you would know about it but I don’t so stop saying it to make it look like the punishment is justified.”

AAP