NBA matches aren’t the only ones with the occasional off-court scuffles.
The NBA 2K League has issued disciplinary measures against three players from Celtics Crossover Gaming and Hawks Talon GC following an altercation that occurred after the two teams’ regular season opener.
Celtics Crossover point guard Albano “oFab” Thomallari and Hawks Talon forward Connor “Dat Boy Shotz” Rodrigues have both been suspended for one game for their role in the altercation, said NBA 2K League Managing Director Brendan Donohue in a statement.
Additionally, the league also issued US$500 fines on oFab and Hawks Talon forward Ahmed “Mel East” Kasana.
Emotions ran high with bouts of trash talking during the match between the Hawks and Celtics, which may have led to the scuffle. While trash talking during NBA 2K League matches are very common, this marks the first time that such incidents of trash talking have escalated to a full-blown altercation.
The incident occurred shortly after Hawks Talon defeated Celtics Crossover, 68-58, in their opening match on April 10. As both teams were approaching one another to shake hands after their match, oFab was seen refusing to shake hands with, and bumping into, Hawks Talon point guard Randolph “Rando” Moreno. OFab then shoved Rando, which appeared to have prompted Dat Boy Shotz and Mel East to retaliate, but league officials were able to step in on time to stop the scuffle.
This is also not the first time that the NBA 2K League has suspended one of its players. Hours before the 2019 NBA 2K League Draft, the league announced that they have suspended Kings Guard Gaming point guard Eric “timelycook” Donald for the entirety of the 2019 season for violating the league’s player code of conduct.
The league also notably dismissed and disqualified Wizards District Gaming power forward Austin “Boo Painter” Painter — who was the leading scorer during the inaugural season — from competing in the league after he was also found to have violated the player code of conduct back in November 2018.
“I would like to take full ownership and apologize for the way I acted during the incident that happened against Hawks Talon GC. I want to apologize to my organization, the players and staff on Hawks Talon GC, my fans, family and friends for the way I behaved,” said oFab in a statement posted on his Twitter account.
“That is not who I am as a person and does not represent what I have worked for, I promise to be better.”
He was not the only one to apologize for his behavior.
Dat Boy Shotz will serve his suspension on April 19 when Hawks Talon GC play against Jazz Gaming, while oFab will serve his on April 25 when Celtics Crossover Gaming go up against 76ers GC.
