WANNEROO Wolves American import Jordan Wild returns to the State Basketball League court this weekend, having served a three-game suspension for racial vilification.
Wild fronted the tribunal after an incident with the Kalamunda Eastern Suns’ American import Lee Roberts during Wanneroo’s 102-86 win at Joondalup Basketball Stadium on June 9.
Roberts was believed to have been verbally attacking Wild throughout the game before the Wolves forward reacted.
Wild, who has starred for Wanneroo this season, apologised to Roberts after the game.
Wolves’ president Ryan Hunter said the club had hoped the matter could be dealt with through mediation, given the “significant amount of remorse” Wild had shown.
“It was an out-of-character reaction to continued taunts that had been received throughout the game,” Hunter said.
“However, the Wanneroo Basketball Association does not condone any action of harassment or discriminatory behaviour and immediately accepted the penalty handed down by the tribunal.”
The Wolves had since conducted training to ensure players were aware of their individual and team-based responsi- bilities when reacting to on-court bullying.
They also engaged in a discussion on diversity and inclusion. Basketball WA competitions manager Christian Rice said the SBL took these matters very seriously.
“Comments made during a game from any player or team official that are abusive, threatening or obscene will not be tolerated if proven at a tribunal,” he said.
Roberts and Suns assistant coach Jason Hughes also fronted the tribunal in relation to the clash on reports of abusive, threatening and obscene language, and acting in an |unsportsman-like manner in the stadium precincts or surrounds. Both were found not guilty of these charges.
The Wolves meet the Southwest Slammers in Bunbury this Saturday