NBL bans 'melee' spectator for life

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basketball.com.au

A member of the crowd covers his face as he leaves the stadium during the round nine NBL match between Melbourne United and Adelaide 36ers at John Cain Arena, on November 17, 2024, in Melbourne, Australia. Photo: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

Spectators get life and 10 years for roles in bench melee

A spectator has been banned for life after an ugly melee broke out at the Adelaide 36ers bench during a heated Round Nine clash against Melbourne United on Sunday, November 17, 2024.

The spectator is banned from all NBL games and venues. Another spectator has been banned for 10 years.

Fittingly, NBL CEO David Stevenson pulled no punches.

"The NBL is, and always will be, a family-friendly sport and we will not tolerate any behaviour that goes against that,” he said.

"We hope this sends a clear message that sitting court-side at NBL games is a privilege.

"One of the great things about basketball is sitting up close to talented players, and we will always strive to protect and preserve that experience.

"We commend the swift action from club officials who intervened in an attempt to defuse the situation between Adelaide players and the fans."

A member of the crowd covers his face as he leaves the stadium during the round nine NBL match between Melbourne United and Adelaide 36ers at John Cain Arena, on November 17, 2024, in Melbourne, Australia. Photo: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

A melee breaks out on the Adelaide 36ers interchange as member of the crowd gets involved with the players on the bench during the round nine NBL match between Melbourne United and Adelaide 36ers at John Cain Arena, on November 17, 2024, in Melbourne, Australia. Photo: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

Former NBA Sixth Man of the Year and Adelaide 36ers forward Montrezl Harrell was suspended for three games and fined $3,685 for his part in an on-court scuffle and a bench shoving match with a fan.

36ers teammate Kendric Davis was also suspended for two games after being found guilty of inappropriate conduct involving a spectator.

Harrell responded to his own verdict on social media platform X yesterday: "No one else involved in the situation huh @NBL. Only me and KD lol no players from other team just the coach for coming off the bench lol! Yeaaa I’m good man smh. Lmao and please cut it wit the closed fist mess because if I punched one them you would have definitely knew but that’s not case so stop preaching it to make it seem as the punishment was justified."

The catalyst was Harrell taking exception to United centre Rob Loe pushing him the chest while both players were on the floor in the paint after Loe drew an offensive foul on Harrell in the fourth quarter. Loe appeared to pull Harrell down during the charge with United up 85-73 just 49 seconds gone.